Article comprising a temperature-conditioned surface, thermoelectric control unit, and method for temperature-conditioning the surface of an article

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides systems, methods, and articles for temperature conditioning a surface. An article is formed from a first layer having a plurality of openings and a second layer having a corresponding plurality of openings. At least one interior chamber constructed and configured to retain a fluid without leaking is defined between an interior surface of the first layer and an interior surface of the second layer. At least one flexible fluid supply line delivers the fluid to the at least one interior chamber. At least one flexible fluid return line removes the fluid from the at least one interior chamber. At least one control unit that is operable to selectively cool or heat the fluid is attached to the at least one flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluid return line.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from the following USpatents and patent applications: this application is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/777,050, filed Sep.15, 2015, which is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/US2014/030202, filed Mar. 17, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/800,768, filed Mar. 15, 2013. Thisapplication also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/398,257, filed Sep. 22, 2016. Each of the above applications isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates broadly and generally to an article comprising atemperature-conditioned surface, thermoelectric control unit, and methodfor temperature-conditioning the surface of an article.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is generally known in the prior art to provide atemperature-conditioned surface. It is desirable to control thetemperature of a bed or other piece of furniture that supports a person,such as when sleeping. Such control has therapeutic value in treatingsymptoms of menopause or conditions of hypothermia or hyperthermia,particularly when those conditions manifest themselves over a longperiod of time. Therapeutic value may also be seen for individuals whohave circulatory disorders, sleep disorders, and other conditions thatmay be improved by increasing the comfort felt during sleep. Suchcontrol can be desirable even outside the therapeutic value of coolingor heating a surface (e.g., mattress), simply to match the personalcomfort preferences of healthy individuals, to promote higher qualitysleep, or to provide localized control when a more general control(e.g., heating or air conditioning of a sleeping space) is unavailableor when adjustments to the general control would cause others discomfortor would be inefficient from an energy consumption perspective.

Various methods of temperature control are known, including such classicsystems as electric blankets or heating pads, as well as more recentdevelopments that involve the circulation of a heated or cooled fluidthrough a mattress, such as directing air through the chambers of an airmattress or directing air or a fluid through a tube that is embeddedwithin a mattress or a mattress pad. The more advanced of these systemsutilize a heat source or sink (i.e., cooling source) to heat or cool areservoir of fluid to a selected target temperature and pump the heatedor cooled fluid through the available conduit, relying on principles ofheat exchange to control the surface temperature.

Prior art patent documents include the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 2,753,435 for thermal blanket by inventor Jepson, filedApr. 23, 1954 and issued Aug. 3, 1956, is directed to blankets havingheat transfer means included therein whereby the temperature of the samemay be controlled in a desired manner.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,262 for heating and cooling blanket by inventorWibell, filed Jan. 17, 1977 and issued Jan. 2, 1979, is directed to acooling and heating blanket comprising a blanket enclosure with heatingmeans including a plurality of flexible elements positioned within theenclosure for being electrically energized for supplying heat to theenclosure, such that the enclosure may be retained above roomtemperature, and cooling means including a plurality of flexible fluidcarrying conduits positioned within the enclosure through which a heattransfer fluid can flow, such that the enclosure may be retained belowroom temperature. Control means including an electric motor and a pumpdriven thereby located remotely relative to the enclosure is providedwith flexible conduit means connecting the enclosure and the coolingmeans, and regulating means is operatively associated with the heatingmeans and the cooling means. The regulating means being adapted toenergize the control means or the heating means in response to increasesand decreases of the temperature associated with the enclosure, suchthat the temperature of the blanket may be retained above or below theroom temperature in which the blanket is located.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,468 for temperature control fluid circulating systemby inventor Bailey, filed Apr. 14, 1982 and issued Aug. 10, 1984, isdirected to a fluid circulating system primarily designed for use with athermal blanket or pad and being temperature controlled so that bothheating and cooling effects may be produced through the preheating orprecooling of fluid in a reservoir tank or like container which, whereinthe fluid is in turn forced through the thermal blanket to provide theproper heating or cooling as desired. A standby switching mode isincluded to prevent circulation of the fluid through the thermal blanketby a pump structure until the fluid reaches a preselected temperaturehas been reached. Heating and cooling transfer elements are disposed tothe fluid within the reservoir tank thereby eliminating the need forcondensor structures and the like and allowing for a compact overallunit to provide the required fluid circulating throughout the thermalblanket.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,802 for blanket assembly and selectively adjustableapparatus for providing heated or cooled air thereto by inventor Feher,filed Apr. 23, 1987 and issued Oct. 18, 1988, is directed to a blanketassembly having an outer layer constructed of a relatively close weavefabric preventing air flow therethrough. Underneath the top layer is asecond layer of material edge connected to the top layer and which isconstructed of a material permeable to air, such as relatively thintaffeta, for example. A cavity exists between the two layers whichreceives pressurized cooled or heated air that passes through the airpermeable layer to cool or heat the individual using the blanketassembly. A modified blanket assembly construction includes rigid edgewall members holding the outer and inner layers separated at apredetermined spacing reducing “pinch-off” between the layersrestricting air flow within parts of the cavity or chamber. Peltiereffect elements are selectively energizable to heat or cool air providedto the blanket assembly cavity.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,136 for bedding system with selective heating andcooling by inventor Elkins, filed Nov. 6, 1989 and issued Aug. 23, 1991,is directed to a bedding system providing for heating or cooling aperson and for applying the heating or cooling only in areas of the bedwhere the person is located. A sealed three-ply heat transfer andinsulating device covers the mattress, below the contour sheet or othercovering which comes in contact with the person's body. A wickingcontour sheet or other cover may optionally be used, capable ofabsorbing any condensation on the surface of the three-ply device.Between the lower two plies of the three-ply material is a channeledflow of coolant liquid, at a regulated temperature close to human skintemperature. Above these two plies, i.e. between the middle ply and theupper ply, is a sealed envelope containing slightly pressurized air. Alight weight, well-insulated comforter is also recommended to isolatethe sleeper from the thermal ambient environment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,096 for heat storage mat by inventor Suematsu, filedSep. 27, 1993 and issued Jul. 12, 1994, is directed to a heat storagemat for a bed constructed to provide a heating intensity, a heatinsulation and a cushioning effect which are adjusted to meet variousconditions which are required for various parts of the driver's body toinsure a comfortable sleep. The heat storage mat includes a plurality ofheating elements arranged in a row in a longitudinal direction of themat. Each of the heating elements is composed of a flat bag filled witha latent heat storage agent and an electric heater unit disposed on anunderside of the flat bag. The quantities of the latent heat storageagents associated with the respective heating elements increasesuccessively in a direction from a head side toward a leg side of themat. A plurality of heat insulating cushions are disposed on uppersurfaces of the corresponding bags. The heat insulating cushions havethicknesses which vary in inverse proportion to the quantities of thelatent heat storage agents of the respective bags. The heating elementsand the heat insulating cushions are enclosed in a bag-like cover.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,788 for thermoelectric cooling-heating mattress byinventor Wu, filed Mar. 8, 1994 and issued Sep. 12, 1995, is directed toa thermostat controlled mattress including a mattress unit having anunderlay, a surface cover and a curved circuit. A water circuit tubeconnects to the curved circuit so as to allow water to be introducedinto the mattress unit with the aid of a pump. Water is circulatedbetween the mattress unit and a water storage box via the water circuittube. A sensor is operatively arranged with respect to the water storagebox to sense the temperature and quantity of water contained in thewater storage box and sends a signal to a thermostat electric circuit.An aluminum reservoir for the water is connected to the curved circuitof the mattress unit and the water circuit tube. A thermoelectricelement is connected to the reservoir and the power supply to heat orcool the water. Water is circulated in the water circuit tube betweenthe curved circuit of the mattress unit and the water storage box,through the reservoir. The water temperature is controlled based onsignals generated by the thermostat electric circuit, which activatesthe power supply operatively connected to the thermoelectric element. Aheat sink and a fan may be arranged adjacent to the thermoelectricelement such that the fan blows a current of air onto the heat sink.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,615 for temperature selectively controllable bodysupporting pad by inventor Alexander, filed Apr. 30, 1997 and issuedApr. 20, 1999, is directed to a bed pad has embedded in it a circuit ofcontinuous tubing. Portable heating and refrigerating means areoperatively connected to a second tubing circuit by quick disconnectcouplings. Electrical control means are selectively operated to heat orcool the liquid in said second tubing circuit. Thermostatic controls mayoptionally be applied to both the heating and refrigerating means. Thishas particular use in surgical operating rooms for raising and loweringthe temperature of the patient. It is also useful in the recovery room,hospital and or convalescent home.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,303 for temperature control for a bed by inventorLarson, filed May 4, 1998 and issued Sep. 7, 1999, is directed to atemperature control apparatus for a bed including at least one heatingelement, mounted in a resting surface on a mattress of the bed forwarming at least a first area of the resting area. A temperature sensoris located to detect the temperature of the first area of the restingarea, and transmits the information to a central control unit. Thecentral control unit includes a central processing unit which isinterconnected with both the heating element and the temperature sensorto adjust the temperature in the first, area of the resting area asdesired. The central control unit is also connected to a timer to permitprogramming of temperature changes as desired. An occupant sensor in theresting surface of the mattress will detect the presence and absence ofan occupant, and transmit this information to the central control unitfor processing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,907 for removable mattress top assembly by inventorLarson, filed Apr. 3, 1998 and issued Dec. 26, 2000, is directed to amattress top assembly for a mattress including a pad filled withcushioning material and a plurality of connector straps attached alongthe head, foot, arid side edges of the pad and removably connected tothe side wall of the mattress. The mattress includes one part of acooperable fastener generally midway between top and bottom surfaces, onthe side walls of the mattress, for detachable connection of each of thestraps thereto.

US Publication No. 2002/0124574 for thermoelectric air-conditionapparatus by inventors Guttman et al., filed Dec. 14, 2000 and publishedSep. 12, 2002, is directed to a thermoelectric air conditioningapparatus is comprised of a housing having a plurality of air inlets anda plurality of air outlets; a plurality of thermoelectric elements; twoheat exchangers; a temperature regulator, having first and second airinlets, a main air outlet and at least one exhaust outlet; two aircirculation units and a control unit. Thermoelectric elements areenergized, and cause a reduction of temperature on one side and anincrease of temperature on the other side. One air flow is forced toflow through one of the housing air inlets, over a heat exchanger and tothe first air outlet of the temperature regulator. Another air flow isforced to flow through one of the housing inlets, over the other heatexchanger and to the second air outlet of the temperature regulator. Thetemperature of the air leaving the main outlet of the temperatureregulator is determined by proportioning the flow of air from the firstair inlet of the temperature regulator and the air flow from the secondair inlet of the temperature regulator into and through the main outletof the temperature regulator.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,224 for bed heating systems by inventor Yoon, filedMar. 6, 2001 and issued Jun. 24, 2003, is directed to a heating system,e.g. for a bed mattress or floor sleeping area, having a tube extendingin an array from a water inlet portion to a water outlet portion througha sinuous intermediate portion. The heating system has a longitudinalinner area extending centrally along the array and a pair oflongitudinal outer areas extending at opposite sides of the inner areaalong the array. The intermediate portion has innermost runs distributedover the central area, where a sleeping person is most likely to lie,and connected directly to the inlet portion and to one another andoutermost runs distributed over the outer areas and connected directlyto the water outlet portion and to one another. A pump has an outletconnected through the water heater to the water inlet portion and aninlet connected to a water reservoir; and a water temperature and flowcontrol device is connected to the pump and the water heater.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,826,792 for air mattress having temperature regulator byinventor Lin, filed Mar. 29, 2003 and issued Dec. 7, 2004, is directedto an air mattress device including an air mattress member, and atemperature regulator coupled to the air mattress member with a hose, tosupply the regulated air into the air mattress member via the hose. Thetemperature regulator includes a casing disposed in a housing, a heatexchanging member disposed in the casing, to exchange heat with the airflowing into the casing. A heat dissipating device is disposed in thehousing, a heat exchanger includes two conductors disposed between theheat dissipating device and the casing, to transmit heat between theheat dissipating device and the casing.

US Publication No. 2009/0288800 for cooling and heating cabinet deviceof rear seat for vehicles using thermoelectric element by inventors Kanget al., filed Dec. 27, 2006 and published Nov. 26, 2009, is directed toa cooling and heating cabinet device of a rear seat side for a vehicleusing a thermoelectric module that is mounted between rear seats of avehicle, having cooling and heating functions and further having anarm-resting function irrespective of its activation as the cooling andheating device, and that makes the exhaust fan activated by the controlof the controller of the air conditioning system, thereby achieving theair-refreshing function as well as the cooling or heating mode functionof the cooling and heating cabinet.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,191,187 for environmentally-conditioned topper memberfor beds by inventors Bykalski et al., filed Jul. 14, 2011 and issuedJun. 5, 2012, is directed to a conditioner mat for use with a bedassembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, alower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interiorchamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacermaterial positioned within the interior chamber. In one embodiment, thespacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interiorchamber and to help with the passage of fluids within a portion ofinterior chamber. The conditioner mat additionally includes an inlet influid communication with the interior chamber, at least one fluid modulecomprising a fluid transfer device and a conduit placing an outlet ofthe at least one fluid module in fluid communication with the inlet. Insome arrangements, the fluid module selectively delivers fluids to theinterior chamber through the conduit and the inlet. In one embodiment,fluids entering the chamber through the inlet are generally distributedwithin the chamber by the spacer material before exiting through theplurality of openings along the upper layer. The conditioner mat can beconfigured to releasably secure to a top of a bed assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,418,285 for inflatable temperature control system byinventor Frias, filed May 23, 2010 and issued Apr. 16, 2013, is directedto an inflatable device having non-pressurized ducts and channels formedwithin the body of the inflatable device when inflated, wherein theinflation pressure of the inflatable device is maintained when theinterior of the ducts and channels are exposed to atmospheric pressuresallowing fluid to flow through the ducts and channels at substantiallylower pressure levels than the inflation pressure of the inflatabledevice, a plurality of non-pressurized channels and pressurized supportcolumns can be located in substantial proximity to the surface of theinflatable device in contact with the object to be heated or cooled.

US Publication No. 2013/0019611 for personal temperature control systemby inventors Sims et al., filed Oct. 27, 2010 and published Jan. 24,2013, is directed to a personal temperature control system includes anarticle having flexible tubing through it for circulating a heattransfer fluid and an article coupling affixed to distal ends of theflexible tubing. The article coupling releasably couples to a heatexchanger having a thermoelectric cooling/heating unit having one ormore TEC plates, an aluminum heat sink, a fan and a controller inelectrical communication with the TEC plates, a heat exchanger couplingadapted to releasably connect to the article coupling, an outlet linefluidly connecting the thermoelectric cooling/heating unit and the heatexchanger coupling, a return line fluidly connecting the thermoelectriccooling/heating unit and the heat exchanger coupling, a fluid reservoirin fluid communication with the outlet and return lines, the fluidreservoir forming a housing for the TEC plates, a pump in fluidcommunication with at least one of the outlet and return lines, and apower supply in electrical communication with the controller and thepump.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an article comprising atemperature-conditioned surface, thermoelectric control unit, and methodfor temperature-conditioning the surface of an article.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an article fortemperature conditioning a surface, including a first layer having aplurality of openings, wherein the first layer has an exterior surfaceand an interior surface, a second layer having a corresponding pluralityof openings, wherein the second layer has an exterior surface and aninterior surface, and wherein the second layer is permanently affixed tothe first layer along a periphery of the article and a periphery of theeach of the plurality of openings, at least one interior chamber definedbetween the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surfaceof the second layer, at least one flexible fluid supply line fordelivering a fluid to the at least one interior chamber, at least oneflexible fluid return line for removing the fluid from the at least oneinterior chamber, and at least one control unit attached to the at leastone flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluidreturn line, wherein the at least one control unit is operable toselectively cool or heat the fluid, wherein the at least one interiorchamber is constructed and configured to retain the fluid withoutleaking, and wherein the interior surface of the first layer and theinterior surface of the second layer are formed of at least one layer ofa waterproof material.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a sleep systemincluding at least one remote device and an article for adjusting atemperature of a surface, wherein the article further includes a firstlayer having a plurality of openings, wherein the first layer has anexterior surface and an interior surface, a second layer having acorresponding plurality of openings, wherein the second layer has anexterior surface and an interior surface, and wherein the second layeris permanently affixed to the first layer along a periphery of thearticle and a periphery of each of the plurality of openings, at leastone interior chamber defined between the interior surface of the firstlayer and the interior surface of the second layer, at least oneflexible fluid supply line for delivering a fluid to the at least oneinterior chamber, at least one flexible fluid return line for removingthe fluid from the at least one interior chamber, and at least onecontrol unit attached to the at least one flexible fluid supply line andthe at least one flexible fluid return line, wherein the at least onecontrol unit is operable to selectively cool or heat the fluid, andwherein the at least one control unit has at least one antenna and atleast one processor, wherein the at least one remote device and the atleast one control unit have real-time or near-real-time two-waycommunication, wherein the at least one interior chamber is constructedand configured to retain the fluid without leaking, and wherein theinterior surface of the first layer and the interior surface of thesecond layer are formed of at least one layer of a waterproof material.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a sleep systemincluding at least one body sensor, at least one remote device, at leastone remote server, and an article for adjusting a temperature of asurface, wherein the article further includes a first layer having aplurality of openings, wherein the first layer has an exterior surfaceand an interior surface, a second layer having a corresponding pluralityof openings, wherein the second layer has an exterior surface and aninterior surface, and wherein the second layer is permanently affixed tothe first layer along a periphery of the article and a periphery of eachof the plurality of openings, at least one interior chamber definedbetween the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surfaceof the second layer, at least one flexible fluid supply line fordelivering a fluid to the at least one interior chamber, at least oneflexible fluid return line for removing the fluid from the at least oneinterior chamber, and at least one control unit attached to the at leastone flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluidreturn line, wherein the at least one control unit is operable toselectively cool or heat the fluid, and wherein the at least one controlunit has at least one antenna and at least one processor, wherein the atleast one body sensor and the at least one remote device have real-timeor near-real-time two-way communication, wherein the at least one remoteserver and the at least one remote device have real-time ornear-real-time two-way communication, wherein the at least one remotedevice and the at least one control unit have real-time ornear-real-time two-way communication, wherein the at least one remoteserver is operable to determine optimized parameters for the articlebased on data from the at least one body sensor, wherein the at leastone remote server is operable to transmit the optimized parameters forthe article to the at least one remote device, wherein the at least oneremote device is operable to transmit the optimized parameters for thearticle to the at least one control unit, wherein the at least oneinterior chamber is constructed and configured to retain the fluidwithout leaking, and wherein the interior surface of the first layer andthe interior surface of the second layer are comprised of at least onelayer of a waterproof material.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art after a reading of the following description ofthe preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings, as theysupport the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a temperature-regulatedmattress pad having two surface temperature zones connected torespective thermoelectric control units according to one exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary control unit demonstratingthe quick connection/disconnection of the flexible fluid supply andreturn lines.

FIG. 3 is a side schematic view showing various internal components ofthe exemplary control unit fluidly connected to the mattress pad.

FIG. 4 is a top schematic view of the exemplary control unit.

FIG. 5 illustrates the difference between structured water andunstructured water.

FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment of a mattress pad with threeindependent temperature zones.

FIG. 6B illustrates one embodiment of a double mattress pad with threeindependent temperature zones for both users.

FIG. 6C illustrates one embodiment of a mattress pad with threeindependent temperature zones connected to at least one remote device.

FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-section of a mattress pad with two layers ofwaterproof material.

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-section of a mattress pad with two layers ofwaterproof material and two layers of a second material.

FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-section of a mattress pad with two layers ofwaterproof material and a spacer layer.

FIG. 7D illustrates a cross-section of a mattress pad with two layers ofwaterproof material, two layers of a second material, and a spacerlayer.

FIG. 8 is a view of a mattress pad hose elbow according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 9 is another view of the mattress pad hose elbow of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a single mattress pad.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a single mattress pad.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of an end of a single mattress pad.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of an end of a single mattress pad.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a double mattress pad.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a double mattress pad.

FIG. 16 is another top perspective view of a double mattress pad.

FIG. 17 is a view of the corner of a double mattress pad.

FIG. 18 is another view of the corner of a double mattress pad.

FIG. 19 is a view of another embodiment of a mattress pad.

FIG. 20A illustrates a graph of a sleep cycle for a normal sleeper.

FIG. 20B illustrates a graph of a sleep cycle for a restless sleeper.

FIG. 20C illustrates a graph of a sleep cycle for atemperature-manipulated sleeper

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the sleep system.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the system architecture.

FIG. 23 is an illustration of a network of sleep systems.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example process for monitoring asleep system and updating a virtual model based on monitored data.

FIG. 25 illustrates a home screen of one embodiment of a graphical userinterface (GUI) for a mobile application.

FIG. 26 illustrates a schedule screen of one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application.

FIG. 27 illustrates another schedule screen of one embodiment of a GUIfor a mobile application.

FIG. 28 illustrates a sleep screen of one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application.

FIG. 29 illustrates a goal settings screen for one embodiment of a GUIfor a mobile application.

FIG. 30 illustrates a progress screen for one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application.

FIG. 31 illustrates a profile screen for one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application.

FIG. 32 illustrates another profile screen for one embodiment of a GUIfor a mobile application.

FIG. 33 illustrates yet another profile screen for one embodiment of aGUI for a mobile application.

FIG. 34 illustrates an add sleep profile screen for one embodiment of aGUI for a mobile application.

FIG. 35 illustrates a dashboard screen for one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application.

FIG. 36 illustrates a profile screen for one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application allowing for segmented sleep.

FIG. 37 shows a schematic diagram illustrating general components of acloud-based computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is generally directed to an article comprising atemperature-conditioned surface, thermoelectric control unit, and methodfor temperature-conditioning the surface of an article.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an article fortemperature conditioning a surface, including a first layer having aplurality of openings, wherein the first layer has an exterior surfaceand an interior surface, a second layer having a corresponding pluralityof openings, wherein the second layer has an exterior surface and aninterior surface, and wherein the second layer is permanently affixed tothe first layer along a periphery of the article and a periphery of theeach of the plurality of openings, at least one interior chamber definedbetween the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surfaceof the second layer, at least one flexible fluid supply line fordelivering a fluid to the at least one interior chamber, at least oneflexible fluid return line for removing the fluid from the at least oneinterior chamber, and at least one control unit attached to the at leastone flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluidreturn line, wherein the at least one control unit is operable toselectively cool or heat the fluid, wherein the at least one interiorchamber is constructed and configured to retain the fluid withoutleaking, and wherein the interior surface of the first layer and theinterior surface of the second layer are formed of at least one layer ofa waterproof material.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a sleep systemincluding at least one remote device and an article for adjusting atemperature of a surface, wherein the article further includes a firstlayer having a plurality of openings, wherein the first layer has anexterior surface and an interior surface, a second layer having acorresponding plurality of openings, wherein the second layer has anexterior surface and an interior surface, and wherein the second layeris permanently affixed to the first layer along a periphery of thearticle and a periphery of each of the plurality of openings, at leastone interior chamber defined between the interior surface of the firstlayer and the interior surface of the second layer, at least oneflexible fluid supply line for delivering a fluid to the at least oneinterior chamber, at least one flexible fluid return line for removingthe fluid from the at least one interior chamber, and at least onecontrol unit attached to the at least one flexible fluid supply line andthe at least one flexible fluid return line, wherein the at least onecontrol unit is operable to selectively cool or heat the fluid, andwherein the at least one control unit has at least one antenna and atleast one processor, wherein the at least one remote device and the atleast one control unit have real-time or near-real-time two-waycommunication, wherein the at least one interior chamber is constructedand configured to retain the fluid without leaking, and wherein theinterior surface of the first layer and the interior surface of thesecond layer are formed of at least one layer of a waterproof material.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a sleep systemincluding at least one body sensor, at least one remote device, at leastone remote server, and an article for adjusting a temperature of asurface, wherein the article further includes a first layer having aplurality of openings, wherein the first layer has an exterior surfaceand an interior surface, a second layer having a corresponding pluralityof openings, wherein the second layer has an exterior surface and aninterior surface, and wherein the second layer is permanently affixed tothe first layer along a periphery of the article and a periphery of eachof the plurality of openings, at least one interior chamber definedbetween the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surfaceof the second layer, at least one flexible fluid supply line fordelivering a fluid to the at least one interior chamber, at least oneflexible fluid return line for removing the fluid from the at least oneinterior chamber, and at least one control unit attached to the at leastone flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluidreturn line, wherein the at least one control unit is operable toselectively cool or heat the fluid, and wherein the at least one controlunit has at least one antenna and at least one processor, wherein the atleast one body sensor and the at least one remote device have real-timeor near-real-time two-way communication, wherein the at least one remoteserver and the at least one remote device have real-time ornear-real-time two-way communication, wherein the at least one remotedevice and the at least one control unit have real-time ornear-real-time two-way communication, wherein the at least one remoteserver is operable to determine optimized parameters for the articlebased on data from the at least one body sensor, wherein the at leastone remote server is operable to transmit the optimized parameters forthe article to the at least one remote device, wherein the at least oneremote device is operable to transmit the optimized parameters for thearticle to the at least one control unit, wherein the at least oneinterior chamber is constructed and configured to retain the fluidwithout leaking, and wherein the interior surface of the first layer andthe interior surface of the second layer are comprised of at least onelayer of a waterproof material.

None of the prior art discloses an article for adjusting the temperatureof a surface formed from a first layer having a plurality of openingsand a second layer having a corresponding plurality of openings, whereinthe second layer is permanently affixed to the first layer along aperiphery of the article and a periphery of each of the plurality ofopenings, and wherein at least one interior chamber constructed andconfigured to retain a fluid without leaking is defined between aninterior surface of the first layer and an interior surface of thesecond layer. Further, none of the prior art discloses using such anarticle in a sleep system to programmatically control targettemperatures over time, such as over the course of a night's sleep,using at least one remote device. Finally, none of the prior artdiscloses using such an article in a sleep system with at least one bodysensor, wherein optimized parameters for the article are based on datafrom the at least one body sensor.

Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for thepurpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and arenot intended to limit the invention thereto.

Referring now specifically to the drawings of exemplary embodiments andimplementations of the present invention, a thermoelectric control unitaccording to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and showngenerally referenced by numeral 10. As shown, a pair of identicalcontrol units 10, 10′ attach through flexible conduit to atemperature-conditioned article, such as mattress pad 11. The mattresspad 11 has two independent thermally regulated surface zones “A” and“B”, each containing internal flexible (e.g., silicon) tubing 14designed for circulating heated or cooled fluid within a hydrauliccircuit between the control unit 10 and the mattress pad 11. As bestshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible conduit assembly for each controlunit 10 includes separate fluid supply and return lines 16, 17 connectedto tubing 14, and a quick-release female connector 18 for readyattachment and detachment to external male connectors 19 of the controlunit 10. Advantageously, the mattress pad 11 allows a user to retrofitan existing mattress.

In one embodiment, the thermoelectric control unit 10 is operativelyconnected (e.g., by flexible conduit) to a mattress, such that thetemperature-conditioned surface is embedded in the mattress itself. Inalternative exemplary embodiments, the thermoelectric control unit 10 isoperatively connected (e.g., by flexible conduit) to any othertemperature regulated article, such as a blanket or other bedding orcovers, seat pad, sofa, chair, or the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the exemplary control unit 10 has anexternal housing 21, and a fluid reservoir 22 located inside the housing21. The reservoir 22 has a fill opening 23 accessible through aremovably capped opening 15 (FIG. 2) in housing 21, a fluid outlet 24,and a fluid return 25. Fluid contained in the reservoir 22 is moved in acircuit through a conduit assembly formed from in-housing tubes 28, theflexible supply and return lines 16, 17, and flexible silicone tubing 14within the temperature-regulated pad 11. The fluid is selectivelycooled, as described further below, by cooperating first and second heatexchangers 31, 32 and thermoelectric cooling modules 33A-33D. Thecooling modules 33A-33D reside at an electrified junction between thefirst and second heat exchangers 31, 32, and function to regulate fluidtemperature from a cool point of as low as 7.78° C. (46° F.), or cooler.The housing 21 and reservoir 22 may be either separately or integrallyconstructed of any suitable material, such as an anti-flammable ABS,polypropylene, or other molded polymer.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first heat exchanger 31 is formed ofpairs of oppositely directed internal heat sinks 41A, 42A and 41B, 42Bcommunicating with an inside of the reservoir 22, and cooperating withthermoelectric cooling modules 33A-33D to cool the fluid inside thereservoir 22 to a selected (set) temperature. Each heat sink 41A, 42A,41B, 42B has a substantially planar metal base 44 adjacent an exteriorside wall of the reservoir 22, and a plurality of planar metal fins 45extending substantially perpendicular to the base 44 and verticallyinward towards a center region of the reservoir 22. In the exemplaryembodiment, each pair of heat sinks 41A, 42A and 41B, 42B is formed fromone 4-fin sink and one 5-fin sink arranged such that their respectivefins 45 are facing and interleaved as shown in FIG. 4. The exemplarycooling modules 33A-33D are operatively connected to an internal powersupply/main control board 48, and are formed from respective thinPeltier chips having opposing planar inside and outside major surfaces51, 52. The inside major surface 51 of each cooling module 33A-33Dresides in direct thermal contact with the planar base 44 of itscorresponding heat sink 41A, 42A, 41B, 42B. A thermal pad or compound(not shown) may also reside between each cooling module 33A-33D and heatsink 41A, 42A, 41B, 42B to promote thermal conduction from base 44outwardly across the fins 45.

The second heat exchanger 32 is formed from external heat sinks 61A-61Dlocated outside of the fluid reservoir 22, and arranged in anopposite-facing direction to respective internal heat sinks 41A, 42A,41B, 42B. Each external heat sink 61A-61D has a planar metal base 64 indirect thermal contact with the outside major surface 52 of anassociated adjacent cooling module 33A-33D, and a plurality of planarmetal fins 65 extending substantially perpendicular to the base 64 andhorizontally outward away from the fluid reservoir 22. Heat generated bythe cooling modules 33A-33D is conducted by the external heat sinks61A-61D away from the modules 33A-33D and dissipated to a surroundingenvironment outside of the fluid reservoir 22. Electric case fans 71 and72 may be operatively connected to the power supply/main control board48 and mounted inside the housing 21 adjacent respective heat sinks 61A,61B and 61C, 61D. The exemplary fans 71, 72 promote air flow across thesink fins 65, and outwardly from the control unit 10 through exhaustvents 13 formed with the sides and bottom of the housing 21. In oneembodiment, each external heat sink 61A-61D has a substantially largerbase 64 (as compared to the 4-fin and 5-fin internal sinks 41A, 42A,41B, 42B) and a substantially greater number of fins 65 (e.g., 32 ormore). Both internal and external heat sinks may be active or passive,and may be constructed of any suitable conductive material, includingaluminum, copper, and other metals. The heat sinks may have a thermalconductivity of 400 watts per meter-Kelvin (W/(m·K)), or more. The casefans 71, 72 may automatically activate and shut off as needed.

From the reservoir 22, the temperature conditioned fluid exits throughthe outlet 24 and enters the conduit assembly formed from an arrangementof in-housing Z-, L-, 7-, and S-shaped tubes 28 (and joints). A pump 81is operatively connected to the reservoir 22 and functions to circulatethe fluid through the control unit 10 in a circuit including thein-housing tubes 28 (and joints), flexible fluid supply line 16,silicone pad tubes 14, fluid return line 17, and back into the reservoir22 through fluid return 25. As shown in FIG. 3, an insulated linear heattube 82 is located outside of the fluid reservoir 22 and inside thehousing 21, and communicates with the conduit assembly to selectivelyheat fluid moving from the control unit 10 to the mattress pad 11. Theexemplary heat tube 82 may heat fluid moving in the hydraulic circuit toa desired temperature of as warm as 47.78° C. (118° F.).

The control unit 10 has at least one fluid reservoir. In one embodiment,the control unit 10 includes two fluid reservoirs. A first fluidreservoir is used to heat and/or cool fluid that circulates through thetemperature-regulated pad 11. The first fluid reservoir includes atleast one sensor to measure a level of the fluid. A second fluidreservoir is used to store fluid. In a preferred embodiment, fluid fromthe second fluid reservoir is automatically used to fill the first fluidreservoir when the at least one sensor indicates that the level of thefluid is below a minimum value. Advantageously, this optimizes thetemperature in the first fluid reservoir because only a small amount ofstored fluid is introduced into the first fluid reservoir when needed.Additionally, this embodiment reduces the refilling required for thecontrol unit 10, saving the user time and effort. In one embodiment, theat least one fluid reservoir is formed of metal. In another embodiment,the metal of the at least one fluid reservoir is electrically connectedto ground.

In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 10 includes at least onemechanism for forming structured water. FIG. 5 illustrates thedifference between structured water and unstructured water. In oneembodiment, the control unit includes at least one vortex to treat thefluid. The at least one vortex reduces bacteria, algae, and fungus inthe fluid without using additional chemicals. In one embodiment, the atleast one vortex includes at least one left spin vortex and at least oneright spin vortex. The at least one left spin vortex and the at leastone right spin vortex mimics the movement of water in nature. Oneexample of utilizing vortex technologies to treat fluids is described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,238,289, which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. Alternatively, the fluid can flow or tumble over orthrough a series of balls and/or rocks. In one embodiment, the rocks arein a hexagonal shape. A tumbling action or vortex aligns the moleculesin the structured water to retain energy (i.e., cooling or heating) fora longer period of time. Surprisingly, the aligned or structured watermolecules produced a 20% increase in the heating and cooling capacity ofthe water.

In a preferred embodiment, the fluid is water. In one embodiment, thewater is treated with a UV purification system to kill microorganisms(e.g., bacteria, viruses, molds). The UV purification system includes atleast one UV light bulb to expose microorganisms to UV radiation, whichprevents the microorganisms from reproducing. This reduces the number ofmicroorganisms in the water without using additional chemicals. In oneembodiment, the at least one UV light bulb is a UV-C light emittingdiode (LED). In another embodiment, the at least one UV light bulb is amercury vapor bulb.

Additionally or alternatively, the water is treated with at least onefilter to remove contaminants and/or particles. In a preferredembodiment, the at least one filter clarifies the water before exposureto the at least one UV light bulb. Contaminants and/or particles in thewater are larger than the microorganisms, so contaminants and/orparticles block the UV rays from reaching the microorganisms. In oneembodiment, the at least one filter is a sediment filter, an activatedcarbon filter, a reverse osmosis filter, and/or a ceramic filter. Inanother embodiment, one or more of the at least one filter includescopper and/or silver (e.g., nanoparticles, ions, colloidal) to suppressthe growth of microorganisms. Contaminants and/or particles that areremoved from the water include sediment, rust, calcium carbonate,organic compounds, chlorine, and/or minerals.

The at least one filter preferably removes contaminants and/or particleswith a diameter greater than 0.3 μm. Alternatively, the at least onefilter removes contaminants and/or particles with a diameter greaterthan 0.5 μm. In another embodiment, the at least one filter removescontaminants and/or particles with a diameter greater than 0.05 μm. Inanother embodiment, the at least one filter removes contaminants and/orparticles with a diameter greater than 1 nm.

In one embodiment, the water is treated with copper and/or silver ions.The copper and/or silver ions are positively charged and bond withnegative sites on cell walls of microorganisms. This can lead to thedeactivation of proteins and ultimately to cell death. Copper and/orsilver ions can also destroy biofilms and slimes. In one embodiment, thecopper and/or silver ions are created through electrolysis.

Alternatively, the water is treated with at least one chemical toinhibit growth of bacteria and microorganisms or to remove lime andcalcium buildup. In one embodiment, the water is treated with a compoundcontaining iodine or chlorine. In another embodiment, the water istreated with salt and/or a peroxide solution. In yet another embodiment,the water is treated with citric acid.

The thermoelectric control unit 10 may further include other featuresand electronics not shown including a touch control and display board,overheat protectors, fluid level sensor, thermostat, additional casefans, and other such components. The control unit 10 may also include anexternal power cord designed to plug into standard household electricaloutlets, or may be powered using rechargeable or non-rechargeablebatteries. In one embodiment, the touch control and display boardincludes a power button, temperature selection buttons (e.g., up arrowand down arrow), and/or an LCD to display the temperature. In anotherembodiment, the touch control and display board includes a programselection menu.

The control unit 10 preferably has at least one processor. By way ofexample, and not limitation, the processor may be a general-purposemicroprocessor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, a Digital Signal Processor(DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), acontroller, a state machine, gated or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any other suitable entity or combinationsthereof that can perform calculations, process instructions forexecution, and/or other manipulations of information. In one embodiment,one or more of the at least one processor is operable to run predefinedprograms stored in at least one memory of the control unit 10.

The control unit 10 preferably includes at least one antenna, whichallows the control unit 10 to receive and process input data (e.g.,temperature settings, start and stop commands) from at least one remotedevice (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop computer, desktop computer,remote control). In a preferred embodiment, the at least one remotedevice is in wireless network communication with the control unit. Thewireless communication is, by way of example and not limitation,radiofrequency, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, wireless local areanetworking, near field communication (NFC), or other similarcommercially utilized standards. Alternatively, the at least one remotedevice is in wired communication with the control unit through USB orequivalent.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one remote device is operable toset target temperatures for the mattress pad. The at least one remotedevice preferably has a user interface (e.g., a mobile application for asmartphone or tablet, buttons on a remote control) that allows a user toselect target temperatures for the mattress pad or independent zoneswithin the mattress pad. In one embodiment, the mattress pad includestemperature probes in each zone that provide temperature data for thatzone to the at least one processor, which compares a target temperatureset using the at least one device to an actual measured temperature todetermine whether to heat or cool the fluid and determine where todistribute the heated or cooled fluid in order to make the actualtemperature match the target temperature.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that programmatic control of thetarget temperatures over time, such as over the course of a night'ssleep, is possible using the at least one remote device. Because thetarget temperatures can be set at any time, those target temperaturescan be manipulated through the sleeping period in order to match userpreferences or a program to correlate with user sleep cycles to producea deeper, more restful sleep.

FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment of a mattress pad with threeindependent temperature zones. The three independent temperature zones501, 502, 503 generally correspond to the head, body and legs, and feet,respectfully, of a user. Although only three zones are shown, it isequally possible to have one, two, four, or more independent temperaturezones. A wireless remote control 507 is used to set the targettemperatures for each of the zones 501, 502, 503. Temperature probes 508in each zone provide actual measured temperature data for that zone tothe control unit 10. The control unit 10 compares the target temperatureset using the wireless remote control 507 and the actual measuredtemperature to determine whether to heat or cool the fluid and determineto which conduit or circuits the heated or cooled fluid should bedistributed in order to make the actual temperature match the targettemperature.

In one embodiment, a larger number of temperature probes are in theindependent temperature zones corresponding to the core body region, anda smaller number of temperature probes are in the independenttemperature zones not corresponding to the core body region. In oneexample, zone 501 contains three temperature probes, zone 502 containsfive temperature probes, and zone 503 contains three temperature probes.This embodiment provides the advantage of more closely monitoring thetemperature of the pad in the core body region, which is importantbecause core body temperature impacts how well a user sleeps.

In another embodiment, an independent temperature zone contains threetemperature probes. In one example, zone 501 contains a temperatureprobe in the center of the mattress pad 11, a temperature probe on theleft side of the mattress pad 11, and a temperature probe on the rightside of the mattress pad 11. Advantageously, this embodiment providesinformation about the left, center, and right of the mattress pad. Inyet another embodiment, an independent temperature zone contains atleast three temperature probes.

The mattress pad includes padding 509 between the conduit circuits andthe resting surface, in order to improve the comfort of a user and toprevent the concentrated heat or cold of the conduit circuits from beingapplied directly or semi-directly to the user's body. Instead, theconduit circuits heat or cool the padding 509, which provides moregentle temperature modulation for the user's body.

FIG. 6B illustrates one embodiment of a double mattress pad. Threeindependent temperature zones 501A, 502A, 503A generally correspond tothe head, body and legs, and feet, respectfully, of a first user whoutilizes surface zone “A”. Three independent temperature zones 501B,502B, 503B generally correspond to the head, body and legs, and feet,respectfully, of a second user who utilizes surface zone “B”. Althoughonly three zones are shown for each user, it is equally possible to haveone, two, four, or more independent temperature zones. A first wirelessremote control 507A is used to set the target temperatures for each ofthe zones 501A, 502A, 503A. A second wireless remote control 507B isused to set the target temperatures for each of the zones 501B, 502B,503B. Temperature probes 508 in each zone provide actual measuredtemperature data for that zone to the control unit 10. The control unit10 compares the target temperature set using the wireless remote control507A, 507B and the actual measured temperature to determine whether toheat or cool the fluid and determine to which conduit or circuits theheated or cooled fluid should be distributed in order to make the actualtemperature match the target temperature.

In this embodiment, despite the presence of two separate controls, asingle control unit 10 is utilized to control the temperature of thefluid. In another embodiment, a first control unit is utilized tocontrol the temperature of the fluid for the first user and a secondcontrol unit is utilized to control the temperature of the fluid for thesecond user. Alternatively, each user has at least two control units tocontrol the temperature of the fluid.

FIG. 6C illustrates one embodiment of a mattress pad with threeindependent temperature zones connected to at least one remote device511. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one remote device is asmartphone or a tablet. The at least one remote device preferably has amobile application that allows for the control unit 10 to vary thetemperature of the mattress pad 11 according to a schedule of targettemperatures selected to correlate with sleep cycles of the user. Suchan arrangement promotes deeper, more restful sleep by altering bodytemperature at critical points.

Preferably, the mattress pad 11 is sized to fit standard mattress sizes.For example, twin (about 97 cm by about 191 cm (about 38 inches by about75 inches)), twin XL (about 97 cm by about 203 cm (about 38 inches byabout 80 inches)), full (about 137 cm by about 191 cm (about 54 inchesby about 75 inches)), queen (about 152 cm by about 203 cm (about 60inches by about 80 inches)), king (about 193 cm by about 203 cm (about76 inches by about 80 inches), and California king (about 183 cm byabout 213 cm (about 72 inches by about 84 inches)). In one embodiment,the mattress pad is about 76 cm by about 203 cm (about 30 inches byabout 80 inches). This allows a single user of a full, queen, or kingsize bed to use the mattress pad without affecting a sleeping partner.In one embodiment, the mattress pad is sized to fit a crib mattress(about 71 cm by about 132 cm (about 28 inches by about 52 inches)). In apreferred embodiment, the single mattress pad (e.g., twin, twin XL,sized to fit a single user of a larger bed, crib) attaches to onecontrol unit and the double mattress pad (e.g., full, queen, king,California king) attaches to two control units.

In an alternative embodiment, the mattress pad contains a conductivefiber to heat one section of the mattress pad and water circulation tocool another section of the mattress pad. In one example, this allowsthe temperature of the main body or body core region to be lower thanthe temperature for the feet. The feet play an active role in theregulation of body temperature. The feet have a large surface area andspecialized blood vessels, which allow the feet to release heat from thebody. If the feet become too cold, excess heat cannot be released fromthe body and an individual will not be able to sleep.

In one embodiment, the mattress pad is grounded, which provides thehuman body with electrically conductive contact with the surface of theearth. Grounding is based on the theory that the earth is a source ofnegatively charged free electrons, and, when in contact with the earth,the body can use these free electrons as antioxidants to neutralize freeradicals within the body. Grounding the body during sleep can normalizecortisol levels, improve sleep, and decrease pain and stress levels. Ina preferred embodiment, the mattress pad has a conductive material on atleast one exterior surface of the mattress pad. In one embodiment, themattress pad is attached to a wire that is electrically connected to anelectrical outlet ground port. Alternatively, the mattress pad isattached to a wire that is connected to a ground rod.

The mattress pad includes at least two layers of a waterproof materialthat are laminated, affixed to each other, adhered to each other,attached to each other, secured to each other, or welded together toprevent separation or delamination of the layers. In a preferredembodiment, the waterproof material is a urethane or a mixture ofurethane and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). A first layer of thewaterproof material is permanently affixed to a second layer of thewaterproof material. The first layer of the waterproof material has anexterior surface and an interior surface. The second layer of thewaterproof material has an exterior surface and an interior surface. Ina preferred embodiment, the first layer of the waterproof material iswelded (e.g., using high frequency/radio frequency (RF) welding or heatwelding) to the second layer of the waterproof material along acontinuous perimeter, creating at least one interior chamber constructedand configured to retain fluid without leaking between the interiorsurface of the first layer of the waterproof material and the interiorsurface of the second layer of the waterproof material. Fluid isdelivered to the at least one interior chamber via a fluid supply line16 that enters the continuous perimeter via an opening sized tosealingly receive the fluid supply line 16. Fluid is removed from the atleast one interior chamber via a fluid return line 17 that exits thecontinuous perimeter via an opening sized to sealingly receive the fluidreturn line 17.

In a preferred embodiment, the waterproof material is covered on theexterior surfaces with an interlock or knit fabric. The interlock orknit fabric on the exterior surface of the mattress pad preferablycontains a copper or a silver ion thread for antimicrobial protection.Alternatively, the interlock or knit fabric on the exterior surface ofthe mattress pad is treated with an antibacterial or an antimicrobialagent (e.g., Microban®). In one embodiment, the waterproof material iscovered on the exterior surface with a moisture wicking material.

In one embodiment, the mattress pad includes a spacer layer positionedwithin the interior chamber between the interior surface of the firstlayer of the waterproof material and the interior surface of the secondlayer of the waterproof material. The spacer layer provides separationbetween the first layer of the waterproof material and the second layerof the waterproof material, ensuring that the fluid flows through themattress pad when a body is on the mattress pad. The spacer layeradvantageously provides structural support to maintain partial channelsthrough the interior chamber or fluid passageways, which are importantto ensure constant and consistent fluid flow through the interiorchamber with heavy users on firm mattresses. In a preferred embodiment,the spacer layer is laminated, affixed, adhered, attached, secured, orwelded to the first layer of the waterproof material and/or the secondlayer of the waterproof material. The spacer layer is preferably made ofa foam mesh or a spacer fabric. In one embodiment, the spacer layer hasantimicrobial properties.

FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-section of a mattress pad with two layers ofwaterproof material. In this embodiment, a first layer of a waterproofmaterial 602 and a second layer of a waterproof material 604 are affixedor adhered together to form an interior chamber 600. The interiorchamber 600 is constructed and configured to retain fluid withoutleaking. In a preferred embodiment, the first layer of the waterproofmaterial 602 and the second layer of the waterproof material 604 arewelded together (e.g., using high frequency/radio frequency (RF) weldingor heat welding).

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-section of a mattress pad with two layers ofwaterproof material and two layers of a second material. In thisembodiment, a first layer of a waterproof material 602 and a secondlayer of a waterproof material 604 are affixed or adhered together toform an interior chamber 600. The interior chamber 600 is constructedand configured to retain fluid without leaking. In a preferredembodiment, the first layer of the waterproof material 602 and thesecond layer of the waterproof material 604 are welded together (e.g.,using high frequency/radio frequency (RF) welding or heat welding). Afirst layer of a second material 606 is on an exterior surface of thefirst layer of the waterproof material 602. A second layer of the secondmaterial 608 is on an exterior surface of the second layer of thewaterproof material 604. In a preferred embodiment, the second materialis a knit or interlock material. Alternatively, the second material is awoven or non-woven material. In yet another embodiment, the secondmaterial is formed of plastic.

FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-section of a mattress pad with two layers ofwaterproof material and a spacer layer. In this embodiment, a firstlayer of a waterproof material 602 and a second layer of a waterproofmaterial 604 are affixed or adhered together to form an interior chamber600. The interior chamber 600 is constructed and configured to retainfluid without leaking. In a preferred embodiment, the first layer of thewaterproof material 602 and the second layer of the waterproof material604 are welded together (e.g., using high frequency/radio frequency (RF)welding or heat welding).

A spacer layer 610 is positioned within the interior chamber 600 betweenan interior surface of the first layer of the waterproof material 602and an interior facing of the second layer of the waterproof material604. The spacer layer 610 is configured to provide structural support tomaintain partial channels for fluid flow through the interior chamber.In one embodiment, the fluid flows through the spacer layer. In apreferred embodiment, the spacer layer is laminated, affixed, adhered,attached, secured, or welded to the first layer of the waterproofmaterial and/or the second layer of the waterproof material. The spacerlayer is preferably made of a foam mesh or a spacer fabric. In oneembodiment, the spacer layer has antimicrobial properties. In anotherembodiment, the spacer layer 610 is in a honeycomb shape.

FIG. 7D illustrates a cross-section of a mattress pad with two layers ofwaterproof material, two layers of a second material, and a spacerlayer. In this embodiment, a first layer of a waterproof material 602and a second layer of a waterproof material 604 are affixed or adheredtogether to form an interior chamber 600. The interior chamber 600 isconstructed and configured to retain fluid without leaking. In apreferred embodiment, the first layer of the waterproof material 602 andthe second layer of the waterproof material 604 are welded together(e.g., using high frequency/radio frequency (RF) welding or heatwelding). A first layer of a second material 606 is on an exteriorsurface of the first layer of the waterproof material 602. A secondlayer of the second material 608 is on an exterior surface of the secondlayer of the waterproof material 604. In a preferred embodiment, thesecond material is a knit or interlock material. Alternatively, thesecond material is a woven or non-woven material. In yet anotherembodiment, the second material is formed of plastic.

A spacer layer 610 is positioned within the interior chamber 600 betweenan interior surface of the first layer of the waterproof material 602and an interior facing of the second layer of the waterproof material604. The spacer layer 610 is configured to provide structural support tomaintain partial channels for fluid flow through the interior chamber.In one embodiment, the fluid flows through the spacer layer. In apreferred embodiment, the spacer layer is laminated, affixed, adhered,attached, secured, or welded to the first layer of the waterproofmaterial and/or the second layer of the waterproof material. The spacerlayer is preferably made of a foam mesh or a spacer fabric. In oneembodiment, the spacer layer has antimicrobial properties.

FIG. 8 is a view of a mattress pad hose elbow according to a preferredembodiment. The mattress pad 11 is placed on top of a mattress 102 andbox springs or foundation 104. The mattress pad 11 connects to thecontrol unit 10 (not shown) via a flexible hose 106 containing theflexible supply and return lines 16, 17. The flexible hose is preferablyformed from a polyurethane. Alternatively, the flexible hose is formedfrom extruded silicone double wall tubing. In one embodiment, theflexible hose has a polyethylene foam or other insulating cover.Additionally or alternatively, the flexible hose is covered with afabric (e.g., nylon, polyester, rayon).

A mattress pad hose elbow 108 is concentric around the flexible hose106. The mattress pad hose elbow 108 secures the flexible hose 106 tothe side of the mattress 102 and box springs or foundation 104, whichprovides structural support to the flexible hose 106. The mattress padhose elbow 108 is sized to fit tightly around the flexible hose 106. Ina preferred embodiment, the mattress pad hose elbow 108 is formed withsilicone or rubber. Alternatively, the mattress pad hose elbow 108 isformed from plastic (e.g., ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam,polyethylene foam). In a preferred embodiment, the mattress pad hoseelbow 108 is operable to slide on the flexible hose 106. In oneembodiment, the mattress pad hose elbow 108 is adjustable.

The mattress pad 11 preferably contains a plurality of holes or openings100 in the surface of the mattress pad 11. The plurality of holes oropenings 100 direct the movement of the fluid in the pad. In a preferredembodiment, the plurality of holes or openings 100 is in a pre-selectedpattern to help manufacturing efficiency. Alternatively, the pluralityof holes or openings 100 is in a random pattern. The plurality of holesor openings 100 is shown in a hexagon shape in FIG. 7. Alternatively,the shape of each of the plurality of holes or openings 100 can be inthe shape of a triangle, a circle, a rectangle, a square, an oval, adiamond, a pentagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, a decagon, atrapezium, a parallelogram, a rhombus, a cross, a semicircle, acrescent, a heart, a star, a snowflake, or any other polygon. In oneembodiment, the voids created by the plurality of holes or openings 100include at least 80% of the surface area of the mattress pad. In otherembodiments, the voids created by the plurality of holes or openings 100include at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least70%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of thesurface area of the mattress pad.

The spacing and number of the plurality of holes or openings 100 can bevaried to adjust the thermal properties of the mattress pad. Forexample, in one embodiment, the density of the holes or openings ishigher near the torso region than in the head and leg regions, forproviding more exposure to the torso region of the user for managingbody temperature in that region, and less exposure to the extremities ofthe user. In one embodiment, the spacing between each of the pluralityof holes or openings is at least 5 mm (0.2 inches).

In a preferred embodiment, the mattress pad 11 contains at least oneweld line 105 to help manage the flow of the fluid in the interiorchamber. The at least one weld line 105 preferably directs the fluidflow through the pad from head to foot, and returns the fluid to thecontrol unit via the return line. The at least one weld line 105 allowsthe fluid to flow across all areas of the mattress pad 11 to provide asubstantially uniform temperature within the pad. In one embodiment, theat least one weld line is formed from the permanent attachment of thefirst layer of the waterproof material and the second layer of thewaterproof layer along the periphery of the plurality of holes oropenings.

FIG. 9 is another view of the mattress pad hose elbow of FIG. 8. Theflexible hose 106 is positioned next to the mattress 102 and the boxsprings or foundation 104 using the mattress pad hose elbow 108.Advantageously, the mattress pad hose elbow 108 secures the flexiblehose 106 to the side of the mattress 102 and box springs or foundation104, providing structural support for the flexible hose 106. Further,the total height of a mattress, box springs or foundation, and/or a bedframe is not uniform. The mattress pad hose elbow 108 providescustomization for the height of the mattress, the box springs orfoundation, and/or the bed frame.

In another embodiment, the flexible hose is positioned next to themattress using hook and loop tape. In yet another embodiment, theflexible hose is positioned next to the mattress using elastic. In stillanother embodiment, the flexible hose is positioned next to the mattressusing at least one snap. Alternatively, the flexible hose is positionednext to the mattress using at least one buckle.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a single mattress pad. A top panel110A is attached (e.g., sewn, adhered, welded) to the top of themattress pad 11 at an attachment point 114A. A bottom panel 110B isattached (e.g., sewn, adhered, welded) to the bottom of the mattress pad11 at an attachment point 114B. A non-slip piece 112A is attached (e.g.,sewn, adhered, welded) to the top panel 110A on a side opposite theattachment point 114A. A non-slip piece 112B is attached (e.g., sewn,adhered, welded) to the bottom panel 110B on a side opposite theattachment point 114B. Preferably, the top panel 110A and the bottompanel 110B are formed from the same material as the second material(e.g., a knit or interlock fabric) on the exterior surface of themattress pad. In a preferred embodiment, the non-slip pieces 112A, 112Bare formed from foam. Alternatively, the non-slip pieces 112A, 112B areformed from latex, silicon, or rubber. The non-slip pieces 112A, 112Bare preferably moisture wicking and/or antimicrobial. In one embodiment,the non-slip pieces 112A, 112B are printed onto the top panel 110A andthe bottom panel 110B. In one embodiment, the top panel 110A and thebottom panel 110B are between about 18 cm (about 7 inches) and about 76cm (about 30 inches) in length. In a preferred embodiment, top panel110A and the bottom panel 110B are about 66 cm (about 26 inches) inlength.

In another embodiment, the top panel 110A and the bottom panel 110B actas a non-slip surface. In one embodiment, the top panel 110A and thebottom panel 110B are made of gripper or anti-slip fabric. In thisembodiment, the non-slip pieces 112A and 112B are not needed because thetop panel 110A and the bottom panel 110B act as the non-slip surface.

The single mattress pad is preferably reversible, such that the mattresspad is operable when either exposed surface is facing upward.Advantageously, this allows the flexible hose 106 to exit on either theleft or the right side of the bed. This reversibility eliminates theneed to manufacture single mattress pads with a “left” configuration ora “right” configuration for single users of a full, queen, or king sizebed and/or single users where a bed is positioned such that a particularconfiguration is required (e.g., a bed positioned against a wall).

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a single mattress pad. The mattress pad11 is shown above the mattress 102 and box springs or foundation 104.While in use, the mattress pad 11 is placed on top of the mattress 102.The ends of the mattress pad 11 are attached to panels 110A, 110B.Panels 110A, 110B are placed over the head and foot ends of the mattress102, with the ends of the panels 110A, 110B sandwiched between themattress 102 and box springs or foundation 104.

As previously described, the mattress pad 11 preferably contains aplurality of holes or openings 100 in the surface of the mattress pad11. A first layer having a plurality of holes or openings is permanentlyaffixed to a second layer having a plurality of holes or openings alonga periphery of the mattress pad and a periphery of each of the pluralityof holes or openings. At least one interior chamber is defined betweenan interior surface of the first layer and an interior surface of thesecond layer. The at least one interior chamber is constructed andconfigured to retain a fluid without leaking. The interior surface ofthe first layer and the interior surface of the second layer are made ofat least one layer of a waterproof material.

In an alternative embodiment, the mattress pad 11 does not contain aplurality of holes or openings in the surface in the mattress pad 11. Inone embodiment, the waterproof material is stretchable. In a preferredembodiment, the stretch rate of the waterproof material is equal to orgreater than the stretch rate of surrounding materials (e.g., amattress). Advantageously, this prevents the mattress pad 11 fromgathering and bunching underneath a user.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of an end of a single mattress pad. Themattress pad 11 is formed of at least two layers of waterproof materialas shown in FIGS. 6A-6D. In one embodiment, the panel 110 is permanentlyaffixed (e.g., sewn, adhered, welded) between a first layer of awaterproof material 602 and a second layer of a waterproof material 604.On the opposite end from where the panel 110 is attached to the mattresspad 11, a non-slip piece 112 is permanently affixed (e.g., sewn,adhered, welded) to the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the non-slippiece 112 is formed from foam. Alternatively, the non-slip pieces 112are formed from latex, silicon, or rubber. The non-slip pieces 112 arepreferably moisture wicking and/or antimicrobial.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of an end of a single mattress pad.The mattress pad 11 has a first layer of waterproof material 602 and asecond layer of waterproof material 604. A first end of panel 110 isattached to the first layer of waterproof material 602 and the secondlayer of waterproof material 604. The panel 110 is permanently affixed(e.g., sewn, adhered, welded) between the first layer of waterproofmaterial 602 and the second layer of waterproof material 604. In apreferred embodiment, the external surface of the first layer ofwaterproof material 602 and the second layer of waterproof material 604are folded over to attach to the first end of panel 110. A non-slippiece 112 is permanently affixed (e.g., sewn, adhered, welded) to theend opposite of the first end of panel 110. In a preferred embodiment,the non-slip piece 112 is formed from foam. Alternatively, the non-slippieces 112 are formed from latex, silicon, or rubber. The non-slippieces 112 are preferably moisture wicking and/or antimicrobial.

In alternative embodiments, the mattress pad includes interlock or knitfabric on exterior surfaces of the mattress pad. In other embodiments,the exterior surfaces of the mattress pad are covered with a wovenfabric, a non-woven fabric, or a polymer film (e.g., urethane orthermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)). Additionally or alternatively, themattress pad includes a spacer layer between an interior surface of thefirst layer of waterproof material 602 and an interior surface of thesecond layer of waterproof material 604.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a double mattress pad. The mattresspad 11 has two independent thermally regulated surface zones “A” and“B”. The mattress pad 11 has a first flexible hose 106A and a secondflexible hose 106B. In a preferred embodiment, the first flexible hose106A attaches to a first control unit (not shown) and the secondflexible hose 106B attaches to a second control unit (not shown). In apreferred embodiment, the center of the mattress pad 11 contains an areafree of holes or openings 124. The area free of holes or openings 124contains a welded separator 126, which provides a boundary between thetwo independent thermally regulated surface zones “A” and “B”.

FIG. 15 is another top perspective view of a double mattress pad. Themattress pad 11 has a top end panel 110A, a left side panel 110B, aright side panel 110C, and a bottom end panel 110D. The top end panel110A, the left side panel 110B, the right side panel 110C, and thebottom end panel 110D are preferably formed from a material with stretch(e.g., interlock or knit). In a preferred embodiment, each corner of themattress pad 11 contains at least one non-slip piece. In one embodiment,a top non-slip piece and a bottom non-slip piece are attached to eachcorner of the mattress pad 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, thecorner between the top panel 110A and the left side panel 110B has anon-slip piece 130A, the corner between the top panel 110B and the rightside panel 110C has a non-slip piece 130B, the corner between the leftside panel 110B and the bottom end panel 110D has a non-slip piece 130C,and the corner between the right side panel 110C and the bottom endpanel 110D has a non-slip piece 130D.

The mattress pad 11 preferably contains at least one weld line or otherseparation to help manage the flow of fluid in the at least one interiorchamber. The at least one weld line 105 directs the fluid flow throughthe pad from head to foot, and returns the fluid to the control unit viathe return line. In FIG. 15, the mattress pad has a first weld line 105Ato help manage the flow of fluid in the interior chamber of zone “A” anda second weld line 105B to help manage the flow of fluid in the interiorchamber of zone “B”. Although only one weld line is shown for eachindependent temperature zone, it is equally possible to have two or moreweld lines for each independent temperature zone.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a double mattress pad. The mattress pad11 is shown above the mattress 102 and box springs or foundation 104.The mattress pad 11 has a first flexible hose 106A and a second flexiblehose 106B. In a preferred embodiment, the first flexible hose 106Aattaches to a first control unit (not shown) and the second flexiblehose 106B attaches to a second control unit (not shown). Alternatively,the first flexible hose 106A and the second flexible hose 106B attach tothe same control unit. The surface of the mattress pad 11 contains aplurality of holes or openings 100 in the surface of the mattress pad11.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the bottom left corner of one embodimentof a double mattress pad before the mattress pad is secured to the bed.In a preferred embodiment, each corner of the mattress pad 11 contains atop non-slip piece 130C and a bottom non-slip piece 130C′. In FIG. 17,the top non-slip piece 130C and the bottom non-slip piece 130C′ areshown attached (e.g., sewn, adhered, welded) to the corner formedbetween the left side panel 110B and the bottom end panel 110D. The leftside panel 110B and the bottom end panel 110D are preferably formed froma material with stretch (e.g., interlock or knit). In one embodiment,elastic is attached (e.g., sewn, adhered, welded) to a bottom edge ofthe left side panel 110B and a bottom edge of the bottom end panel 110D.Alternatively, elastic is encased at the bottom edge of the left sidepanel 110B and the bottom edge of the bottom end panel 110D.

To secure the mattress pad 11 to the bed, the edge of the left sidepanel 110B and the edge of the bottom panel 110D are placed on top ofthe bottom non-slip piece 130C′. The top non-slip piece 130 is thenplaced on top the left side panel 110B, bottom panel 110D, and thebottom non-slip piece 130C′. The top non-slip piece 130C and bottomnon-slip piece 130C′ are preferably formed from non-slip foam.Alternatively, the top non-slip piece 130C and bottom non-slip piece130C′ are formed from silicone, rubber, or latex. In one embodiment, theleft side panel 110B and the bottom panel 110D are formed from amaterial with stretch (e.g., interlock or knit). The top non-slip piece130C and bottom non-slip piece 130C′ provide friction to keep themattress pad in place.

FIG. 18 is a view of the bottom left corner of a double mattress padafter the mattress pad is secured to the bed.

FIG. 19 is a view of another embodiment of the mattress pad. Theplurality of holes or openings 100 is shown in a circle shape in FIG.19. The voids created by the plurality of holes or openings 100 includeat least 80% of the surface area of the mattress pad 11 in thisembodiment.

As mentioned previously, the at least one remote device is operable toprogrammatically control the target temperatures over time, such as overthe course of a night's sleep. Because the target temperatures can beset at any time, those target temperatures can be manipulated throughthe sleeping period in order to match user preferences or a program tocorrelate with user sleep cycles to produce a deeper, more restfulsleep.

The following documents provide general information regarding sleep andsleep monitoring, and are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety: (1) Iber et al. The AASM manual for the scoring of sleep andassociated events: rules, terminology and technical specifications. 1sted. Westchester, Ill.: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2007. (2)Berry et al. The AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and AssociatedEvents: Rules, Terminology, and Technical Specifications. www.aasm.org.Darien, Ill.: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2015. (3) Orem, et al.(Eds.). Physiology in Sleep. New York: Elsevier, 2012. (4) SleepResearch Society. Basics of Sleep Behavior. Los Angeles, Calif.: UCLAand Sleep Research Society, 1993. (5) Hirshkowitz, et al. The physiologyof sleep. In Guilleminault (Ed.). Handbook of ClinicalNeurophysiology—Clinical Neurophysiology of Sleep Disorders.Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2005; 3-20. (6) Avidian. Normal Sleep in Humans.In: Kryger, et al. (Eds.). Atlas of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2nd ed.).Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier, 2014; 70-97. (7) Consumer TechnologyAssociation. Definitions and Characteristics for Wearable SleepMonitors, ANSI/CTA/NSF-2052.1, September 2016.

There are two main types of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep andnon-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep. A sleep cycle typically lastsabout 90 minutes, with REM sleep and non-REM sleep alternating withinthe sleep cycle. Non-REM sleep is divided into three stages: Stage 1(“N1”, drowsy sleep), Stage 2 (“N2”, light sleep), and Stage 3 (“N3”,deep sleep).

The N1 stage is a transitional stage between wakefulness and sleep, andis characterized as a very light and easily disrupted sleep. During N1sleep, breathing becomes more regular and the heart rate slows. N1 sleeptypically lasts less than 10 minutes and accounts for approximately 2-5%of total sleep time. The N2 stage is a deeper stage of sleep. N2 sleepaccounts for approximately 45-50% of total sleep time because sleeperspass through the N2 stage multiple times throughout the night. The N3stage is deep sleep. During N3 sleep, brain temperature, breathing rate,heart rate, and blood pressure are each at their lowest levels. Deepsleep is associated with repairing and regrowing tissues, building boneand muscle, and strengthening the immune system.

REM sleep is a stage of sleep associated with random movement of theeyes. REM sleep accounts for approximately 20-25% of total sleep time.The first period of REM sleep begins approximately 90 minutes aftersleep begins and lasts for approximately 10 minutes. Further, REM sleepis more prevalent in the last half of a sleeping period, such that thelast REM stage may last up to about 60 minutes. Heart rate, breath rate,and blood pressure increase during REM sleep. Additionally, due to highbrain activity, dreams are more prevalent in REM sleep. REM isassociated with preserving memories and building neural connections.

Because deep sleep and REM sleep are the most regenerative parts of thesleep cycle, it is most beneficial to spend most of a sleeping period indeep sleep and/or REM sleep. The target temperature of the mattress padcan be manipulated over time through programmatic control using the atleast one remote device. Because the target temperature can bemanipulated using the at least one remote device, those targettemperatures can be manipulated through the sleeping period to allow auser to spend more time in REM and/or deep sleep.

FIG. 20A illustrates a graph of the sleep cycle for a normal sleeper. Anormal sleeper enters deep sleep 3-5 times in a sleeping period.

FIG. 20B illustrates a graph of the sleep cycle for a restless sleeper.Restless sleep is characterized by little or no deep sleep.Additionally, the sleep cycles are uneven. The sleeper may awakenseveral times throughout the night and have difficulty falling backasleep. Further, the time to sleep may be delayed and/or the sleeper maywake up earlier, as shown in FIG. 19B.

FIG. 20C illustrates a graph of the sleep cycle for atemperature-manipulated sleeper. The mattress pad 11 cools the user toinduce a sleep cycle. Additional cooling may be applied while the useris in deep sleep to extend the time spent in deep sleep. Slight warming(e.g., 0.278° C./minute (0.5° F./minute)) may be applied within a sleepcycle to move the user from deep sleep to REM sleep at a faster pace,such that less time is spent in N2 sleep. At the end of the last sleepcycle, the temperature is increased (e.g., 0.278° C./minute (0.5°F./minute)) to gently awaken the user. Advantageously, gently awakeningthe user by increasing the temperature prevents sleep inertia. Sleepinertia is characterized by impaired cognitive and motor function afterawakening. It can take several hours to recover from sleep inertia,which presents a danger for individuals who need to make importantdecisions or perform tasks safely (e.g., driving).

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the sleep system. Thesleep system includes body sensors 702, environmental sensors 704, aremote device 511 with local storage 706, a remote server 708, andsystem components 710. The body sensors 702 include a respiration sensor712, an electrooculography sensor 713, a heart rate sensor 714, amovement sensor 716, an electromyography sensor 717, a brain wave sensor718, a body temperature sensor 720, an analyte sensor 721, a pulseoximeter sensor 722, a blood pressure sensor 723, and/or anelectrodermal activity sensor 724.

The respiration sensor 712 measures a respiratory rate. In oneembodiment, the respiration sensor 712 is incorporated into a wearabledevice. In another embodiment, the respiration sensor 712 isincorporated into a patch or a bandage. Alternatively, the respiratoryrate is estimated from an electrocardiogram, a photoplethysmogram (e.g.,a pulse oximeter), and/or an accelerometer. In yet another embodiment,the respiratory sensor 712 uses a non-contact motion biomotion sensor tomonitor respiration.

The electrooculography (EOG) sensor 713 measures the corneo-retinalstanding potential that exists between the front and the back of theeye. Measurements of eye movements are done by placing pairs ofelectrodes either above and below the eye or to the left and right ofthe eye. If the eye moves to a position away from the center and towardone of the electrodes, a potential difference occurs between theelectrodes. The recorded potential is a measure of the eye's position.

The heart rate sensor 714 is preferably incorporated into a wearabledevice (e.g., Fitbit, Jawbone). Alternatively, the heart rate sensor 714is attached to the user with a chest strap. In another embodiment, theheart rate sensor 714 is incorporated into a patch or a bandage. In yetanother embodiment, the heart rate sensor is incorporated into a sensordevice on the mattress (e.g., Beddit). The heart rate is determinedusing electrocardiography, pulse oximetry, ballistocardiography, orseismocardiography.

The movement sensor 716 is an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope. In oneembodiment, the accelerometer and/or the gyroscope are incorporated intoa wearable device (e.g., Fitbit, Jawbone, actigraph). In anotherembodiment, the accelerometer and/or the gyroscope are incorporated intoa smartphone. In alternative embodiment, the movement sensor 716 is anon-contact sensor. In one embodiment, the movement sensor 716 is atleast one piezoelectric sensor. In another embodiment, the movementsensor 716 is a pyroelectric infrared sensor (i.e., a “passive” infraredsensor). In yet another embodiment, the movement sensor 716 is at leastone pressure sensor embedded in a mattress or mattress topper.Alternatively, the movement sensor 716 is incorporated into a smartfabric.

The electromyography (EMG) sensor 717 records the electrical activityproduced by skeletal muscles. Impulses are recorded by attachingelectrodes to the skin surface over the muscle. In a preferredembodiment, three electrodes are placed on the chin. One in the frontand center and the other two underneath and on the jawbone. Theseelectrodes demonstrate muscle movement during sleep, which can be usedto detect REM or NREM sleep. In another embodiment, two electrodes areplaced on the inside of each calf muscle about 2 to 4 cm (about 0.8 to1.6 inches) apart. In yet another embodiment, two electrodes are placedover the anterior tibialis of each leg. The electrodes on the leg can beused to detect movement of the legs during sleep, which may occur withRestless Leg Syndrome or Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep.

The brain wave sensor 718 is preferably an electroencephalogram (EEG)with at least one channel. In a preferred embodiment, the EEG has atleast two channels. Multiple channels provide higher resolution data.

The body temperature sensor 720 measures core body temperature and/orskin temperature. The body temperature sensor 720 is a thermistor, aninfrared sensor, or thermal flux sensor. In one embodiment, the bodytemperature sensor 720 is incorporated into an armband or a wristband.In another embodiment, the body temperature sensor 720 is incorporatedinto a patch or a bandage. In yet another embodiment, the bodytemperature sensor 720 is an ingestible core body temperature sensor(e.g., CorTemp). The body temperature sensor 720 is preferably wireless.

The analyte sensor 721 monitors levels of an analyte in blood, sweat, orinterstitial fluid. In one embodiment, the analyte is an electrolyte, asmall molecule (molecular weight<900 Daltons), a protein, and/or ametabolite. In another embodiment, the analyte is glucose, lactate,glutamate, oxygen, sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, ammonium,copper, magnesium, iron, zinc, creatinine, uric acid, oxalic acid, urea,ethanol, an amino acid, a hormone (e.g., cortisol, melatonin), asteroid, a neurotransmitter, a catecholamine, a cytokine, and/or aninterleukin. The analyte sensor 721 is preferably non-invasive.Alternatively, the analyte sensor 721 is minimally invasive orimplanted. In one embodiment, the analyte sensor 721 is incorporatedinto a wearable device. Alternatively, the analyte sensor 721 isincorporated into a patch or a bandage.

The pulse oximeter sensor 722 monitors oxygen saturation. In oneembodiment, the pulse oximeter sensor 722 is worn on a finger, a toe, oran ear. In another embodiment, the pulse oximeter sensor 722 isincorporated into a patch or a bandage. The pulse oximeter sensor 722 ispreferably wireless. Alternatively, the pulse oximeter sensor 722 iswired. In one embodiment, the pulse oximeter sensor 722 is connected bya wire to a wrist strap or a strap around a hand. In another embodiment,the pulse oximeter sensor 722 is combined with a heart rate sensor 714.

The blood pressure sensor 723 is a sphygmomanometer. Thesphygmomanometer is preferably wireless. Alternatively, the bloodpressure sensor 723 estimates the blood pressure without an inflatablecuff (e.g., Salu Pulse+). In one embodiment, the blood pressure sensor723 is incorporated into a wearable device.

The electrodermal activity sensor 724 measures sympathetic nervoussystem activity. Electrodermal activity is more likely to have highfrequency peak patterns (i.e., “storms”) during deep sleep. In oneembodiment, the electrodermal activity sensor 724 is incorporated into awearable device. Alternatively, the electrodermal activity sensor 724 isincorporated into a patch or a bandage.

The environmental sensors 704 include an environmental temperaturesensor 725, a humidity sensor 726, a noise sensor 728, an air qualitysensor 730, a light sensor 732, and/or a barometric sensor 734. In oneembodiment, the environmental temperature sensor 725, the humiditysensor 726, the noise sensor 728, the air quality sensor 730, the lightsensor 732, and/or the barometric sensor 734 are built into a homeautomation system (e.g., Nest). Alternatively, the environmentaltemperature sensor 725, the humidity sensor 726, the noise sensor 728,and/or the light sensor 732 are incorporated into a smartphone ortablet. In one embodiment, the noise sensor 728 is a microphone. In oneembodiment, the air quality sensor 730 measures carbon monoxide, carbondioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulates, and/or volatileorganic compounds (VOCs).

The remote device 511 is preferably a smartphone or a tablet.Alternatively, the remote device 511 is a laptop or a desktop computer.The remote device 511 includes a processor 760, an analytics engine 762,a control interface 764, and a user interface 766. The remote device 511accepts data input from the body sensors 702 and/or the environmentalsensors 704. The remote device also accepts data input from the remoteserver 708. The remote device 511 stores data in a local storage 706.

The local storage 706 on the remote device 511 includes a user profile736, historical subjective data 738, predefined programs 740, customprograms 741, historical objective data 742, and historicalenvironmental data 744. The user profile 736 stores sleep systempreferences and information about the user, including but not limitedto, age, weight, height, gender, medical history (e.g., sleepconditions, medications, diseases), fitness (e.g., fitness level,fitness activities), sleep goals, stress level, and/or occupationalinformation (e.g., occupation, shift information). The medical historyincludes caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption,use of prescription sleep aids and/or other medications, blood pressure,restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, headaches, heart disease, sleepapnea, depression, stroke, diabetes, insomnia, anxiety or post-traumaticstress disorder (PTSD), and/or neurological disorders. In oneembodiment, the medical history incorporates information gathered fromthe Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI),Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) Scale, and/or Patient HeathQuestionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (assessment of depression). In one embodiment,the weight of the user is automatically uploaded to the local storagefrom a third-party application. In one embodiment, the third-partyapplication obtains the information from a smart scale (e.g., FitbitAria, Nokia Body, Garmin Index Smart Scale, Under Armour Smart Scale,Pivotal Living Smart Scale, iHealth Wireless Scale).

The historical objective data 742 includes information gathered from thebody sensors 702. This includes information from the respiration sensor712, the electrooculography sensor 713, the heart rate sensor 714, themovement sensor 716, the electromyography sensor 717, the brain wavesensor 718, the body temperature sensor 720, the analyte sensor 721, thepulse oximeter sensor 722, the blood pressure sensor 723, and/or theelectrodermal activity sensor 724.

The historical environmental data 744 includes information gathered fromthe environmental sensors 704. This includes information from theenvironmental temperature sensor 725, the humidity sensor 726, the noisesensor 728, the air quality sensor 730, the light sensor 732, and/or thebarometric sensor 734.

The historical subjective data 738 includes information gathered frommanual sleep logs (e.g., Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). The manualsleep logs include, but are not limited to, a time sleep is firstattempted, a time to fall asleep, a time of waking up, hours of sleep,number of awakenings, times of awakenings, length of awakenings,perceived sleep quality, use of medications to assist with sleep,difficulty staying awake and/or concentrating during the day, difficultywith temperature regulation at night (e.g., too hot, too cold), troublebreathing at night (e.g., coughing, snoring), having bad dreams, wakingup in the middle of the night or before a desired wake up time,twitching or jerking in the legs while asleep, restlessness whileasleep, difficulty sleeping due to pain, and/or needing to use thebathroom in the middle of the night.

The predefined programs 740 are general sleep settings for variousconditions and/or body types (e.g., weight loss, comfort, athleticrecovery, hot flashes, bed sores, depression, multiple sclerosis,alternative sleep cycles). In one embodiment, a weight loss predefinedprogram sets a surface temperature at a very cold setting (e.g.,15.56-18.89° C. (60-66° F.)) to increase a metabolic response, resultingin an increase in calories burned, which then leads to weight loss.Temperature settings are automatically adjusted to be as cold astolerable by the user after the first sleep cycle starts to maximize thecaloric burn while having the smallest impact on sleep quality. The coretemperature of an overweight individual may fail to drop due to a lowmetabolism. In one example, the surface temperature is 20° C. (68° F.)at the start of a sleep period, 18.89° C. (66° F.) during N1-N2 sleep,18.33° C. (65° F.) during N3 sleep, 19.44° C. (67° F.) during REM sleep,and 20° C. (68° F.) to wake the user.

In yet another embodiment, temperature modulation cycles are used toreduce insomnia. Insomnia may be caused by the core body temperaturefailing to drop or a delay of the drop in core body temperature. In oneexample, the surface temperature is 20° C. (68° F.) at the start of asleep period, 17.78° C. (64° F.) during N1-N2 sleep, 15.56° C. (60° F.)during N3 sleep, 18.89° C. (66° F.) during REM sleep, and 20° C. (68°F.) to wake the user.

In still another embodiment, temperature modulation cycles are used toreduce sleep disruptions due to multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, coretemperature and extremity temperature management is not consistent. As aresult, a warm to sleep and warm to wake is suggested. In one example,the surface temperature is 37.78° C. (100° F.) at the start of a sleepperiod, 21.11° C. (70° F.) during N1-N2 sleep, 20° C. (68° F.) during N3sleep, 26.67° C. (80° F.) during REM sleep, and 37.78° C. (100° F.) towake the user.

In yet another embodiment, temperature modulation cycles are used tosupport users with alternative sleep cycles. An alternative sleep cycleis when a user changes to a multiple phase sleep cycle in a 24 hourcycle (e.g., biphasic, segmented, polyphasic sleep). In one example, thesurface temperature is 21.11° C. (70° F.) at the start of a sleepperiod, 17.78° C. (64° F.) during N1-N2 sleep, 16.67° C. (62° F.) duringN3 sleep, 19.44° C. (67° F.) during REM sleep, and 21.11° C. (70° F.) towake the user. This program can repeat for multiple, evenly spaced sleepblocks or be used in a longer block of 4-5 hours. For a short 30 minuteblock, the temperature drops (e.g., 0.278° C./minute (0.5° F./minute) orgreater).

In one embodiment, temperature modulation cycles are used to reduce bedsores. The temperature modulation cycles alternate cooling and heatingbased on automated collection of risk factors, including temperature,surface area pressure, and moisture (e.g., sweat). In anotherembodiment, temperature modulation cycles are prescribed by a sleepspecialist or physician base on a particular health condition of a user.

The custom programs 741 are sleep settings defined by the user. In oneexample, the user creates a custom program by modifying a predefinedprogram (e.g., the weight loss program above) to be 1.11° C. (2° F.)cooler during the N3 stage. In another example, the user creates acustom program by modifying a predefined program (e.g., the weight lossprogram above) to have a start temperature of 37.78° C. (100° F.). Thecustom programs 741 allow a user to save preferred sleep settings.

The remote server 708 includes global historical subjective data 746,global historical objective data 748, global historical environmentaldata 750, global profile data 752, a global analytics engine 754, acalibration engine 756, and a simulation engine 758. The globalhistorical subjective data 746, the global historical objective data748, the global historical environmental data 750, and the globalprofile data 752 include data from multiple users.

The system components include a mattress pad 11 with adjustabletemperature control, a mattress with adjustable firmness 768, a mattresswith adjustable elevation 770, an alarm clock 772, a thermostat toadjust the room temperature 774, a lighting system 776, a fan 778, ahumidifier 780, and/or a dehumidifier 782.

The body sensors 702, the environmental sensors 704, the remote device511 with local storage 706, the remote server 708, and the systemcomponents 710 are designed to connect directly (e.g., USB orequivalent) or wirelessly (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee) throughsystems designed to exchange data between various data collectionsources.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the system architecture.The remote device has a mobile application, preferably on a smartphone,which is in wireless communication with sensors 702 and/or 704. Themobile application is operable to communicate with third-party systems(e.g., Fitbit, Jawbone, Nest) and the system components 710. The sensors702 and/or 704 may communicate information to the mobile applicationthrough the third-party systems. The system components 710 maycommunicate information to the mobile application through thethird-party systems. The mobile application communicates with the remoteserver 708 over the network.

At the start of a sleeping period, a program is selected that providesoptimized values for the sleeping period. The program is preferably apredefined program or customized program based on user preferences. Inone embodiment, the optimized values include, but are not limited to,sleep stage (e.g., awake, Stage N1, Stage N2, Stage N3, REM Sleep),breath rate, heart rate, brain waves (e.g., beta waves, alpha waves,theta waves, delta waves), blood oxygen rate, body temperature, and/orsettings for the system components 710.

As shown in FIG. 23, in one embodiment, the remote server 708 hosts aglobal analytics engine 754, a calibration engine 756, a simulationengine 758, and databases 796, 797, 798, and 799. Although fourdatabases are shown, it is equally possible to have any number ofdatabases greater than one. The global analytics engine 754 generatespredicted values for a monitored sleep system 700 using a virtual modelof the sleep system 700 based on real-time data. The calibration engine756 modifies and updates the virtual model based on the real-time data.Any operational parameter of the virtual model may be modified by thecalibration engine 756 as long as the resulting modification is operableto be processed by the virtual model.

The global analytics engine 754 analyzes differences between thepredicted values and optimized values. If the difference between theoptimized values and the predicted values is greater than a threshold,then the simulation engine 758 determines optimized values of themonitored sleep system 700 based on the real-time data and userpreferences. The global analytics engine 754 determines whether a changein parameters of the system components 710 is necessary to optimizesleep based on the output of the simulation engine 758. If a change inparameters is necessary, the new parameters are transmitted to themobile application on the remote device 511 and then to the systemcomponents 710. The calibration engine 756 then updates the virtualmodel with the new parameters. Thus, the system autonomously optimizesthe sleep system (e.g., surface temperature) without requiring inputfrom a user.

FIG. 23 is an illustration of a network of sleep systems. Data frommultiple users can be stored on a remote server 708. Although one remoteserver is shown, it is equally possible to have any number of remoteservers greater than one. A user may opt into sending their data to theremote server 708, which is stored in at least one database on theremote server 708. The simulation engine 758 on the remote server 708 isoperable to use data from the multiple users to determine customized andoptimized sleep settings for the user based on personal preferences(e.g., a target number of hours of sleep, a preferred bed time, apreferred wake time, a faster time to fall asleep, fewer awakeningsduring the sleeping period, more REM sleep, more deep sleep, and/or ahigher sleep efficiency) or physical condition (e.g., weight loss,comfort, athletic recovery, hot flashes, bed sores, depression). In oneexample, the temperature settings for a temperature-conditioned mattresspad 11 for a user with hot flashes are automatically determined by thesimulation engine 758 examining data obtained from other users with hotflashes and a temperature-conditioned mattress pad stored in databaseson the remote server 708.

The sleep system 700 includes a virtual model of the sleep system. Thevirtual model is initialized based on the program selected. The virtualmodel of the sleep system is dynamic, changing to reflect the status ofthe sleep system 700 in real time or near-real time. The virtual modelincludes information from the body sensors 702 and the environmentalsensors 704. Based on the data from the body sensors 702 and theenvironmental sensors 704, the virtual model generates predicted valuesfor the sleep system 700. A sleep stage (e.g., awake, Stage N1, StageN2, Stage N3, REM sleep) for the user is determined from the data fromthe body sensors 702.

The sleep system 700 is monitored to determine if there is a change instatus of the body sensors 702 (e.g., change in body temperature), theenvironmental sensors 704 (e.g., change in room temperature), the systemcomponents 710 (e.g., change in temperature of mattress pad), or sleepstage of the user. If there is a change in status, the virtual model isupdated to reflect the change in status. Predicted values are generatedfor the sleep system 700. If a difference between the optimized valuesand the predicted values is greater than a threshold, a simulation isrun on the simulation engine 758 to optimize the sleep system 700 basedon the real-time data. The simulation engine 758 uses informationincluding, but not limited to, global historical subjective data 746,global historical objective data 748, global historical environmentaldata 750, and/or global profile data 752 to determine if a change inparameters is necessary to optimize the sleep system 700. In oneexample, the temperature of the mattress pad 11 is lowered to keep auser in Stage N3 sleep for a longer period of time.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example process for monitoring asleep system 700 and updating a virtual model based on monitored data.First, in step 2202, a program to control the sleep system 700 is loadedonto a remote device 511. In a preferred embodiment, the program is apredefined program or customized program based on user preferences.Optimized values including, but not limited to, the sleep status,parameters for system components 710, and/or times for changes, from theprogram are loaded onto the global analytics engine 754 in step 2204.Real-time data is received by the remote server 708 via the remotedevice 511 in step 2206. The real-time data is used to monitor thestatus of the sleep system 700 in step 2208. As described above, thesleep system 700 includes body sensors 702, environmental sensors 704, aremote device 511 with local storage 706, a remote server 708, andsystem components 710. Accordingly, the status of the body sensors 702,the environmental sensors 704, and the system components 710 aremonitored in step 2208, as well as the sleep status of a user. In step2210, a determination is made regarding whether there is a change in thestatus of the monitored devices and/or the sleep state. If there is achange, then the virtual model is updated in step 2212 by thecalibration engine 756 to reflect the status change, i.e., thecorresponding virtual components data is updated to reflect the actualstatus of the various monitored devices.

In step 2214, predicted values for the monitored sleep system 700 aregenerated based on the current, real-time status of the monitoredsystem. In one embodiment, the predicted values include, but are notlimited to, sleep stage (e.g., awake, Stage N1, Stage N2, Stage N3, REMSleep). In step 2216, the optimized values loaded in step 2204 arecompared with the predicted values obtained in step 2214.

Accordingly, meaningful predicted values based on the actual conditionof monitored sleep system 700 are generated in step 2214. Thesepredicted values are then used to determine if further action should betaken based on the results of the comparison in step 2216. For example,if it is determined in step 2218 that the difference between thepredicted values and the optimized values is less than or equal to athreshold, then a do not calibrate instruction is issued in step 2220.If the difference between the real-time data and the predicted values isgreater than the threshold, as determined in step 2218, then an initiatesimulation command is generated in step 2222.

In step 2224, a function call to the simulation engine 758 is generatedin response to the initiate simulation command. The simulation engine758 selects optimized values for the sleep system 700 in step 2226.These optimized values are updated on the global analytics engine 754 instep 2204. Based on the output of the simulation engine 758, the globalanalytics engine 754 determines if the optimized values require a changein parameters of the sleep system 700 (e.g., temperature of mattresspad, room temperature, lighting, mattress firmness, mattress elevation)in step 2228. In a preferred embodiment, the simulation engine 758 usesthe global historical subjective data 746, the global historicalobjective data 748, the global historical environmental data 750, andthe global profile data 752 to determine if the change in parameters isnecessary. If a change in parameters is not necessary, a do notcalibrate instruction is issued in step 2230. If a change in parametersis necessary, the new parameters are transmitted to the remote device511 in step 2232. The remote device 511 transmits the new parameters tothe system components 710 in step 2234.

The calibration engine 756 updates the virtual model in step 2212 basedon the real-time data and the new parameters. Predicted values are thengenerated in step 2214. In this manner, the predicted values generatedin step 2214 are not only updated to reflect the actual status ofmonitored sleep system 700, but they are also updated to reflect naturalchanges in monitored system 700 as the user moves through the sleepcycle. Accordingly, realistic predicted values can be generated in step2214.

As previously mentioned, the least one remote device 511 preferably hasa user interface 766 (e.g., a mobile application for a smartphone ortablet) that allows the sleep system 700 to adjust the parameters of thesleep system. The parameters of the sleep system (e.g., targettemperatures of a mattress pad) can be manipulated through the sleepingperiod using a predefined program or a customized program based on userpreferences to produce a deeper, more restful sleep.

Because the target temperatures may be set at any time, those targettemperatures may be manipulated through the sleeping period in order tomatch user preferences or a program to correlate with user sleep cyclesto produce a deeper, more restful sleep.

In one embodiment, the mobile application measures a time when a userbegan attempting to sleep (TATS), a TATS start time, a TATS end time, atime in bed (TIB), a TIB start time, and/or a TIB end time. The mobileapplication calculates a total TATS duration based on the TATS starttime and the TATS end time. The mobile application also calculates atotal TIB duration based on the TIB start time and the TIB end time. Inone embodiment, the TATS start time, the TATS end time, the TIB starttime, and/or the TIB end time are indicated by the user (e.g., bypressing a button in the mobile application). Alternatively, the TATSstart time, the TATS end time, the TIB start time, and/or the TIB endtime are determined by sensors. In one example, the TATS start time isdetermined by a user's eyes closing while in bed. In another example,the TATS end time is determined by increased motion as measured by amovement sensor and/or opening of the eyes. In yet another example, theTIB start time is determined by sensors indicating a user is horizontaland/or bed or room sensors indicating the user is in bed. In stillanother example, the TIB end time is determined by sensors indicating auser is not horizontal and/or bed or room sensors indicating the user isnot in bed.

The mobile application is operable to determine whether a user is awakeor asleep. The state of wakefulness (i.e., “awake”) is characterized bycognitive awareness and/or consciousness, responsiveness toenvironmental cues, sustained movement detected by a movement sensor,beta and/or alpha waves as detected by EEG, increased heart rate,increased respiration, increased blood pressure, increased electrodermalactivity, increased body temperature, open eyes, voluntary eyemovements, and/or increased EMG on the chin. The state of sleep (i.e.,“asleep”) is characterized by loss of alertness and/or consciousness,lack of response to environmental cues, lack of movement, reduction inalpha waves as detected by EEG, increased theta and delta waves asdetected by EEG, decreased heart rate, decreased respiration, decreasedblood pressure, decreased body temperature, closed eyes, eye twitches,and/or decreased oxygen saturation.

In a preferred embodiment, the mobile application is operable to measurean initial sleep onset time and/or a final awakening time. The initialsleep onset time is a first occurrence of sleep after the TATS starttime. The final awakening time is a time immediately after the lastoccurrence of sleep before the TATS end time. In one embodiment, themobile application calculates a latency to sleep onset as the durationof a time interval between the TATS start time to the initial sleeponset time. In another embodiment, the mobile application calculates alatency to arising as the duration of a time interval between the finalawakening time to the TATS end time. In a preferred embodiment, themobile application is operable to calculate a sleep efficiencypercentage. In one embodiment, the sleep efficiency percentage isdefined as the total sleep time divided by the total TATS duration. Inan alternative embodiment, the sleep efficiency percentage is defined asthe total sleep time divided by the total TIB duration.

In one embodiment, the mobile application is operable to determine atotal sleep period duration, a total sleep time, a sleep maintenancepercentage, a total wakefulness duration, a wakefulness duration afterinitial sleep onset, a total number of awakenings, an awakening rate perhour, and/or a sleep fragmentation rate.

In another embodiment, the mobile application is operable to determineREM sleep, N1 sleep, N2 sleep, and/or N3 sleep. REM sleep ischaracterized by low-voltage, mixed-frequency EEG activity with lessthan 15 seconds of alpha activity, saw-tooth theta EEG activity, rapideye movements, and/or decreased or absent EMG activity on the chin. N1sleep is characterized by low-voltage, mixed-frequency EEG activity withless than 15 seconds of alpha activity in a 30-second epoch, no sleepspindles or K complexes, possible slow rolling eye movements, and/ordiminished EMG activity on the chin. N2 sleep is characterized by sleepspindle and/or K complex activity, absence of eye movements, and/ordiminished EMG activity on the chin. N3 sleep is characterized by highamplitude (e.g., greater than 75 μV peak-to-peak), slow wave (e.g.,frequency of 4 Hz or less) EEG activity. In yet another embodiment, themobile application is operable to calculate REM sleep duration,percentage, and latency from sleep onset; N1 sleep duration, percentage,and latency from sleep onset; N2 sleep duration, percentage, and latencyfrom sleep onset; and/or N3 sleep duration, percentage, and latency fromsleep onset.

Alternatively, the calculations and determining of sleep statesdescribed above are determined over the network on a remote server. Inone embodiment, the calculations and determining of sleep states arethen transmitted to at least one remote device.

FIG. 25 illustrates a home screen of one embodiment of a graphical userinterface (GUI) for a mobile application. A bottom navigation bar allowsa user to rapidly switch between destinations within the mobileapplication. In FIG. 25, the bottom navigation bar includes (in orderfrom left to right) icons for the home screen, a schedule screen, asleep screen, a progress screen, and a goal settings screen.

The home screen includes a graph of the number of hours a user sleptversus dates. In this example, the graph provides the number of hours auser slept for the previous 10 days. In one embodiment, the number ofhours a user slept for a day is obtained from a wearable device (e.g.,Fitbit, Jawbone UP, Misfit, Apple Watch, Nokia Steel, Nokia Go).Alternatively, the user manually enters a time the user went to sleepand a time the user woke up.

The home screen also provides a current snapshot of the user's dailyhealth information. The user's daily health information includes, but isnot limited to, the number of steps the user has taken, the percentageof fitness goals achieved, the number of calories consumed by the user,and the amount of water consumed by the user. This information ispreferably updated in real time or near-real time by the mobileapplication. In one embodiment, this information is manually enteredinto the mobile application. Alternatively, this information is obtainedfrom third-party applications (e.g., Fitbit, Jawbone, Misfit,MyFitnessPal, Apple Health, Health Mate).

The home screen allows the user to set a smart alarm (e.g., 6:10 AM).The smart alarm increases the surface temperature of the mattress padsufficiently over a period of time to allow the user to emerge out ofthe last sleep cycle. The speed of awakening is based on the sleep cycleinformation. The speed of temperature increase is faster (e.g., 0.278°C./minute (0.5° F./minute)) if a new cycle is just beginning. The speedof temperature increase is slower (e.g., 0.056° C./minute (0.1°F./minute)) if the user is just coming out of the bottom of a sleepcycle. In one embodiment, the mobile application uses active datacollection of the user's vital signs, including, but not limited to,heart rate, breath rate, blood oxygen level, brain waves, and/or skintemperature, to determine the speed of awakening.

FIG. 26 illustrates a schedule screen of one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application. The mobile application allows a user to select atemperature schedule. In FIG. 25, the temperature varies between10-18.33° C. (50-65° F.) between 10 PM and 6 AM. The schedule screendisplays a graph of temperature versus time.

FIG. 27 illustrates another schedule screen of one embodiment of a GUIfor a mobile application. The mobile application allows a user to selecta sleep time and a wake time.

FIG. 28 illustrates a sleep screen of one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application. The sleep screen displays a graph of time versustemperature for the previous day. The sleep screen displays a startingtemperature and a wake time for the sleeping period. The user can selecta “start sleep” button to manually track sleep cycles.

The sleep screen also has a button for a smart alarm. This allows themobile application to adjust the settings of the mattress pad to wakethe user at an optimal time within a sleep cycle. As previouslydescribed, gently awakening the user by increasing the temperatureprevents sleep inertia. The sleep screen also has a button for trackingmotion of the user. Further, the sleep screen also has a button fortracking sound of the user.

FIG. 29 illustrates a goal settings screen for one embodiment of a GUIfor a mobile application. The goal settings screen allows a user to turna bed time reminder on or off and select a target number of hours ofsleep (e.g., 8 hours). The goal settings screen also allows a user toselect a preferred sleep time (e.g., 10:00 PM) and a preferred wake time(e.g., 6:00 AM). The goal settings screen also allows a user to set agoal weight, goal amount of water to consume, and goal number ofcalories to consume. Additional goals include, but are not limited to, afaster time to fall asleep, fewer awakenings during the sleeping period,more REM sleep, more deep sleep (e.g., N3 sleep), and/or a higher sleepefficiency.

FIG. 30 illustrates a progress screen for one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application. The progress screen includes a graph of the numberof hours a user slept versus dates. In this example, the graph providesthe number of hours a user slept for the previous 10 days. The progressscreen displays a current sleep efficiency (e.g., 80%). The progressscreen lists the current date, a sleep time, a wake time, and number ofhours of sleep. A “log manually” button allows the user to manually logsleep. The progress screen also includes a graph of the depth of sleep(e.g., light or deep) versus dates. In this example, the graph providesthe depth of sleep for the previous 10 days. The progress screendisplays a time spent in deep sleep (e.g., 5.30 hrs) and a time spent inlight sleep (e.g., 3.15 hrs).

FIG. 31 illustrates a profile screen for one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application. In this embodiment, the mobile application includesa social component. The mobile application allows users to uploadphotos. The mobile application also allows users to follow other users.In this example, the user has 863 followers. A notification illustratesthat the user has 4 new followers. Additionally, the mobile applicationallows users to like status updates and photos of other users. In thisexample, the user has posted 2471 photos and has 1593 likes. Anotification illustrates that the user has 7 new likes. Further, the GUIdisplays statistics for the number of likes, followers, and photos overseveral months.

FIG. 32 illustrates another profile screen for one embodiment of a GUIfor a mobile application. In this example, the mobile application isoperable to send messages between users.

FIG. 33 illustrates yet another profile screen for one embodiment of aGUI for a mobile application. In this example, the profile screendisplays a weekday sleep time of 10 PM and a weekday wake up time of 6AM. The profile screen also displays a weekend sleep time of 10 PM and aweekend wake up time of 6 AM. The profile screen includes a button toadd sleep profile. A bottom navigation bar allows a user to rapidlyswitch between destinations within the mobile application. In FIG. 33,the bottom navigation bar includes (in order from left to right) iconsfor a temperature screen, a sleep screen, an alarm screen, anotification screen, and a settings screen.

FIG. 34 illustrates an add sleep profile screen for one embodiment of aGUI for a mobile application. The mobile application is operable toallow the user to set a sleep time and a wake up time. Further, themobile application is operable to allow a user to select temperaturesfor a mattress pad over a sleep period. In this example, the temperatureis set at 17.22° C. (63° F.) at 10 PM, 26.11° C. (79° F.) at 11 PM,33.89° C. (93° F.) at 12 AM, 26.67° C. (80° F.) at 1 AM, 47.78° C. (118°F.) at 2 AM, 40.56° C. (105° F.) at 3 AM, 37.22° C. (99° F.) at 4 AM,32.22° C. (90° F.) at 5 AM, and 26.11° C. (79° F.) at 6 AM. Further, themobile application allows the user to select warm awake, which slowly(e.g., 0.278° C./minute (0.5° F./minute)) warms the user to awaken theuser.

FIG. 35 illustrates a dashboard screen for one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application. In this embodiment, the mobile application isoperable to allow the user to check the water level of the at least onereservoir in the control unit. In a preferred embodiment, the mobileapplication notifies the user when the water level is below a threshold.Further, the mobile application allows the user to display sleepefficiency.

In another embodiment, the mobile application notifies the user thatwater treatment or purification is required. In another embodiment, themobile application automatically schedules water treatment orpurification (e.g., automatically turning on the UV light for watertreatment) at designated time intervals.

Most individuals adopt a monophasic sleep pattern (e.g., sleeping 6-8hours at a time). Non-monophasic sleep occurs when an individual adoptsa biphasic or polyphasic sleep pattern. A biphasic sleep pattern is whenthe individual sleeps twice per day. Typically, this consists of ashorter rest (e.g., “siesta”) during the day and a longer sleep periodduring the night. A polyphasic sleep pattern (e.g., Everyman, Uberman,Dymaxion, Dual Core) consists of multiple sleeps throughout the day,generally ranging from 4 to 6 periods of sleep per day.

FIG. 36 illustrates a profile screen for one embodiment of a GUI for amobile application allowing for biphasic sleep. In this example, theuser sleeps from 1 PM to 3 PM and 11 PM to 5 AM on weekdays. The useralso sleeps from 1 PM to 3 PM and 2 AM to 9 AM on weekends.

Although FIGS. 33 and 36 show weekday and weekend sleep schedules, themobile application is operable to allow users to set specific sleepschedules for each day of the week. In one example, the mobileapplication allows the user to set different sleep schedules for Mondaythrough Thursday (e.g., work days of a compressed work week), Friday,Saturday, and Sunday.

FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the inventionillustrating a computer system, generally described as 800, having anetwork 810, a plurality of computing devices 820, 830, 840, a server850, and a database 870.

The server 850 is constructed, configured, and coupled to enablecommunication over a network 810 with a plurality of computing devices820, 830, 840. The server 850 includes a processing unit 851 with anoperating system 852. The operating system 852 enables the server 850 tocommunicate through network 810 with the remote, distributed userdevices. Database 870 may house an operating system 872, memory 874, andprograms 876.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system 800 includes acloud-based network 810 for distributed communication via a wirelesscommunication antenna 812 and processing by at least one mobilecommunication computing device 830. In another embodiment of theinvention, the system 800 is a virtualized computing system capable ofexecuting any or all aspects of software and/or application componentspresented herein on the computing devices 820, 830, 840. In certainaspects, the computer system 800 may be implemented using hardware or acombination of software and hardware, either in a dedicated computingdevice, or integrated into another entity, or distributed acrossmultiple entities or computing devices.

By way of example, and not limitation, the computing devices 820, 830,840 are intended to represent various forms of digital computers 820,840, 850 and mobile devices 830, such as a server, blade server,mainframe, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone,desktop computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, workstation,laptop, and other similar computing devices. The components shown here,their connections and relationships, and their functions, are meant tobe exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implementations of theinvention described and/or claimed in this document

In one embodiment, the computing device 820 includes components such asa processor 860, a system memory 862 having a random access memory (RAM)864 and a read-only memory (ROM) 866, and a system bus 868 that couplesthe memory 862 to the processor 860. In another embodiment, thecomputing device 830 may additionally include components such as astorage device 890 for storing the operating system 892 and one or moreapplication programs 894, a network interface unit 896, and/or aninput/output controller 898. Each of the components may be coupled toeach other through at least one bus 868. The input/output controller 898may receive and process input from, or provide output to, a number ofother devices 899, including, but not limited to, alphanumeric inputdevices, mice, electronic styluses, display units, touch screens, signalgeneration devices (e.g., speakers), or printers.

By way of example, and not limitation, the processor 860 may be ageneral-purpose microprocessor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)),a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), aField Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD),a controller, a state machine, gated or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any other suitable entity or combinationsthereof that can perform calculations, process instructions forexecution, and/or other manipulations of information.

In another implementation, shown as 840 in FIG. 37, multiple processors860 and/or multiple buses 868 may be used, as appropriate, along withmultiple memories 862 of multiple types (e.g., a combination of a DSPand a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core).

Also, multiple computing devices may be connected, with each deviceproviding portions of the necessary operations (e.g., a server bank, agroup of blade servers, or a multi-processor system). Alternatively,some steps or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific toa given function.

According to various embodiments, the computer system 800 may operate ina networked environment using logical connections to local and/or remotecomputing devices 820, 830, 840, 850 through a network 810. A computingdevice 830 may connect to a network 810 through a network interface unit896 connected to a bus 868. Computing devices may communicatecommunication media through wired networks, direct-wired connections orwirelessly, such as acoustic, RF, or infrared, through an antenna 897 incommunication with the network antenna 812 and the network interfaceunit 896, which may include digital signal processing circuitry whennecessary. The network interface unit 896 may provide for communicationsunder various modes or protocols.

In one or more exemplary aspects, the instructions may be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combinations thereof. A computerreadable medium may provide volatile or non-volatile storage for one ormore sets of instructions, such as operating systems, data structures,program modules, applications, or other data embodying any one or moreof the methodologies or functions described herein. The computerreadable medium may include the memory 862, the processor 860, and/orthe storage media 890 and may be a single medium or multiple media(e.g., a centralized or distributed computer system) that store the oneor more sets of instructions 900. Non-transitory computer readable mediaincludes all computer readable media, with the sole exception being atransitory, propagating signal per se. The instructions 900 may furtherbe transmitted or received over the network 810 via the networkinterface unit 896 as communication media, which may include a modulateddata signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism andincludes any delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics changed or set in amanner as to encode information in the signal.

Storage devices 890 and memory 862 include, but are not limited to,volatile and non-volatile media such as cache, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM,FLASH memory, or other solid state memory technology; discs (e.g.,digital versatile discs (DVD), HD-DVD, BLU-RAY, compact disc (CD), orCD-ROM) or other optical storage; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage, floppy disks, or other magnetic storage devices;or any other medium that can be used to store the computer readableinstructions and which can be accessed by the computer system 800.

It is also contemplated that the computer system 800 may not include allof the components shown in FIG. 37, may include other components thatare not explicitly shown in FIG. 37, or may utilize an architecturecompletely different than that shown in FIG. 37. The variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, elements, circuits, and algorithmsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits,and steps have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware orsoftware depends upon the particular application and design constraintsimposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement thedescribed functionality in varying ways for each particular application(e.g., arranged in a different order or partitioned in a different way),but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present invention.

The above-mentioned examples are provided to serve the purpose ofclarifying the aspects of the invention, and it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that they do not serve to limit the scope of theinvention. By way of example, the temperature regulating article can bea mattress pad, a sleeping bag, a cushion, or a blanket. Theabove-mentioned examples are just some of the many configurations thatthe mentioned components can take on. All modifications and improvementshave been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability butare properly within the scope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An article for temperature-conditioning a surface comprising: a first layer having a plurality of openings, wherein the first layer has an exterior surface and an interior surface; a second layer having a corresponding plurality of openings, wherein the second layer has an exterior surface and an interior surface, and wherein the second layer is permanently affixed to the first layer along a periphery of the article and a periphery of each of the plurality of openings; at least one interior chamber defined between the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surface of the second layer; at least one flexible fluid supply line for delivering a fluid to the at least one interior chamber; at least one flexible fluid return line for removing the fluid from the at least one interior chamber; and at least one thermoelectric control unit attached to the at least one flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluid return line, wherein the at least one thermoelectric control unit is operable to selectively cool or heat the fluid; wherein the at least one interior chamber is constructed and configured to retain the fluid without leaking; wherein the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surface of the second layer are comprised of at least one layer of a waterproof material; wherein the at least one thermoelectric control unit is in real-time or near-real-time two-way communication with at least one remote device; wherein the at least one remote device comprises a mobile application, and wherein a graphical user interface (GUI) on the mobile application includes a smart alarm, wherein the smart alarm causes a temperature of the article to be increased based on a user's location in a sleep cycle; wherein the user's location in the sleep cycle is determined by active data collection of the user's vital signs; wherein the at least one flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluid return line are contained in a flexible hose; and wherein a mattress pad hose elbow is concentric around the flexible hose, wherein the mattress pad hose elbow secures the flexible hose to a side of a mattress, and wherein the mattress pad hose elbow is operable to slide along the flexible hose.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein the fluid is water.
 3. The article of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of openings is in a shape of a hexagon, a triangle, a circle, a rectangle, a square, an oval, a diamond, a pentagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, a decagon, a trapezium, a parallelogram, a rhombus, a cross, a semicircle, a crescent, a heart, a star, a snowflake, and/or any other polygon.
 4. The article of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings comprises at least 15% of a surface area of the article.
 5. The article of claim 1, further comprising a first panel attached to a first side of the article at a first attachment point and a second panel attached to a second side of the article at a second attachment point, wherein the first attachment point is between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the second attachment point is between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the second attachment point is on an opposite side of the article from the first attachment point, wherein a first non-slip piece is attached to the first panel on a side opposite the first attachment point, and wherein a second non-slip piece is attached to the second panel on a side opposite the second attachment point.
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein the waterproof material is a urethane.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the first layer and/or the exterior surface of the second layer are comprised of a copper ion or a silver ion thread.
 8. The article of claim 1, further comprising side panels and end panels attached to sides and ends of the article, respectfully; wherein a top non-slip piece and a bottom non-slip piece are attached to each corner formed by the side panels and end panels.
 9. The article of claim 8, wherein the top non-slip piece and the bottom non-slip piece are comprised of foam.
 10. The article of claim 1, further comprising a spacer layer positioned within the at least one interior chamber.
 11. A sleep system comprising: at least one remote device; and an article for adjusting a temperature of a surface, wherein the article further comprises: a first layer having a plurality of openings, wherein the first layer has an exterior surface and an interior surface; a second layer having a corresponding plurality of openings, wherein the second layer has an exterior surface and an interior surface, and wherein the second layer is permanently affixed to the first layer along a periphery of the article and a periphery of each of the plurality of openings; at least one interior chamber defined between the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surface of the second layer; at least one flexible fluid supply line for delivering a fluid to the at least one interior chamber; at least one flexible fluid return line for removing the fluid from the at least one interior chamber; and at least one control unit attached to the at least one flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluid return line, wherein the at least one control unit is operable to selectively cool or heat the fluid, and wherein the at least one control unit has at least one antenna and at least one processor; wherein the at least one remote device and the at least one control unit have real-time or near-real-time two-way communication; wherein the at least one interior chamber is constructed and configured to retain the fluid without leaking; wherein the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surface of the second layer are comprised of at least one layer of a waterproof material; wherein the at least one remote device comprises a mobile application, and wherein a graphical user interface (GUI) on the mobile application includes a smart alarm, wherein the smart alarm causes a temperature of the article to be increased based on a user's location in a sleep cycle; wherein the user's location in the sleep cycle is determined by active data collection of the user's vital signs; wherein the at least one flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluid return line are contained in a flexible hose; and wherein a mattress pad hose elbow is concentric around the flexible hose, wherein the mattress pad hose elbow secures the flexible hose to a side of a mattress, and wherein the mattress pad hose elbow is operable to slide along the flexible hose.
 12. The sleep system of claim 11, further comprising at least one remote server having real-time or near-real-time two-way communication with the at least one remote device.
 13. The sleep system of claim 11, further comprising at least one body sensor and/or at least one environmental sensor.
 14. The sleep system of claim 13, wherein the at least one body sensor is a respiration sensor, a heart rate sensor, a movement sensor, a brain wave sensor, a body temperature sensor, an analyte sensor, a blood pressure sensor, and/or a pulse oximeter sensor.
 15. The sleep system of claim 11, wherein the at least one control unit is operable to receive parameters from the at least one remote device to modify the temperature of the surface.
 16. The sleep system of claim 15, wherein the at least one remote device wirelessly transmits the parameters via Bluetooth, radiofrequency, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, or near field communication.
 17. A sleep system comprising: at least one body sensor; at least one remote device; at least one remote server; and an article for adjusting a temperature of a surface, wherein the article further comprises: a first layer having a plurality of openings, wherein the first layer has an exterior surface and an interior surface; a second layer having a corresponding plurality of openings, wherein the second layer has an exterior surface and an interior surface, and wherein the second layer is permanently affixed to the first layer along a periphery of the article and a periphery of each of the plurality of openings; at least one interior chamber defined between the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surface of the second layer; at least one flexible fluid supply line for delivering a fluid to the at least one interior chamber; at least one flexible fluid return line for removing the fluid from the at least one interior chamber; and at least one control unit attached to the at least one flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluid return line, wherein the at least one control unit is operable to selectively cool or heat the fluid, and wherein the at least one control unit has at least one antenna and at least one processor; wherein the at least one body sensor and the at least one remote device have real-time or near-real-time two-way communication; wherein the at least one remote server and the at least one remote device have real-time or near-real-time two-way communication; wherein the at least one remote device and the at least one control unit have real-time or near-real-time two-way communication; wherein the at least one remote server is operable to determine optimized parameters for the article based on data from the at least one body sensor; wherein the at least one remote server is operable to transmit the optimized parameters for the article to the at least one remote device; wherein the at least one remote device is operable to transmit the optimized parameters for the article to the at least one control unit; wherein the at least one interior chamber is constructed and configured to retain the fluid without leaking; wherein the interior surface of the first layer and the interior surface of the second layer are comprised of at least one layer of a waterproof material; wherein the at least one remote device comprises a mobile application, and wherein a graphical user interface (GUI) on the mobile application includes a smart alarm, wherein the smart alarm causes a temperature of the article to be increased based on a user's location in a sleep cycle; wherein the user's location in the sleep cycle is determined by active data collection of the user's vital signs; wherein the at least one flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluid return line are contained in a flexible hose; and wherein a mattress pad hose elbow is concentric around the flexible hose, wherein the mattress pad hose elbow secures the flexible hose to a side of a mattress, and wherein the mattress pad hose elbow is operable to slide along the flexible hose.
 18. The sleep system of claim 17, wherein the at least one body sensor is a respiration sensor, a heart rate sensor, a movement sensor, a brain wave sensor, a body temperature sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a blood pressure sensor, and/or a pulse oximeter sensor. 